Tegus are nice but the dwarf varieties can be skiddish. Argentina Black & Whites and Red Tegus are more friendly but get much bigger (5 ft.)
How can you say monitors aren't more attractive than tegus!
Are Monitor Lizards Right for Me?
- Thread starter SchizotypalVamp
- Start date
Tegus are nice but the dwarf varieties can be skiddish. Argentina Black & Whites and Red Tegus are more friendly but get much bigger (5 ft.)
How can you say monitors aren't more attractive than tegus!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In any case I suggested a dwarf tegu because of the relative size and temprament. Friendly is a relative term regarding handling, but I prefer a species that isn't inclined to bite, claw, or whip me with its tail.
Hmm...my main problem is that I can't provide much more space than a 55 gallon What is a good size for an adult? Would a stock tank work? I've heard these guys are sociable with each other-is this true and would I need to keep more than one?
I've also heard conflicting reports on their responsiveness to handling. I would like an animal(unless it's a frog) I can handle somewhat, and if timors/ackies are definetly adverse to handling it also may not be something I should invest in at the moment. I'll look up dwarf tegus to see if they would be more suitable for what I am looking for, but monitors are definitely my first love.
The pics are AWESOME. Don't know if I ever would spend the money on tree monitors, but they are so good to look at! Is that a croc monitor? They sure are cute..as babies....
I've also heard conflicting reports on their responsiveness to handling. I would like an animal(unless it's a frog) I can handle somewhat, and if timors/ackies are definetly adverse to handling it also may not be something I should invest in at the moment. I'll look up dwarf tegus to see if they would be more suitable for what I am looking for, but monitors are definitely my first love.
The pics are AWESOME. Don't know if I ever would spend the money on tree monitors, but they are so good to look at! Is that a croc monitor? They sure are cute..as babies....
Personally, go with the ackies. I loved my pair: smart (well, the female was. There was a reason we called the male "oaf"), easy to feed, easy to care for, didn't bite/claw/whip, and were just plain gorgeous. But just like fish, take a peek at all the different species that suit the conditions you can provide and find the one that you like best. Good luck
I just looked up dwarf tegus and there is no information to be found, besides the fact that they are not actually tegus, just related?
Thanks for the advice so far, btw!
Thanks for the advice so far, btw!
dwarf tegus (callopistes maculatus) are in the same family (teiidae) as the larger tegus (tupinambis)..
you can probably find information in them in you search the scientific name..
they are usually around 18"...
you can probably find information in them in you search the scientific name..
they are usually around 18"...
The last pic is a Crocodile Monitor. The pic with the babies are Kimberly Rock Monitors. Green Tree Monitors are my favorite and my goal is to own a few of them in the future.
free_kshamenk
proud "mom" since 2003
I would also recommend an Ackie. Ackies stay small, and they are an excellent starter monitor, along with Argentine Black and White Tegus. Although the tegus get about 3-4 feet. Go with an Ackie.
If you want ackies, you could get one in a 3ft x 2ft x 2ft at the smallest. If you want a trio, get a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft IMO.
