As an aquatic lizard, the Tegu Blue thrives in wet environments and spends a significant amount of its time in the water. This makes them different from other reptiles that prefer a more arid climate. Their blue scales, which give them their name, are not only beautiful but also help them camouflage in their watery habitats.
If you’re considering getting a Tegu Blue as a pet, it’s crucial to understand their unique needs and requirements. This guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to provide the best care for your aquatic lizard companion, from their habitat setup to their diet and general care tips.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced reptile owner, owning a Tegu Blue can be a rewarding and fascinating experience. With the right care and knowledge, you can create a thriving environment for your scaly friend and enjoy the incredible beauty and personality of the Tegu Blue!
Blue Tegu Behavior and Characteristics
Blue Tegus have a sleek and streamlined body covered in smooth scales, which are essential for their survival in both water and land environments. These scales protect the tegu from predators and provide them with the agility to move swiftly in water. The Blue Tegu has a long and muscular tail that aids in swimming and amphibious movements, making it an excellent aquatic lizard.
Characteristics of Blue Tegus:
1. Blue coloration: The Blue Tegu gets its name from the vibrant blue hue that covers its body. This distinctive coloration makes it a sought-after pet for reptile enthusiasts.
2. Omnivorous diet: Blue Tegus have a diverse diet that includes both animal and plant matter. They enjoy consuming insects, small vertebrates, fruits, and vegetables.
4. Moderate size: Adult Blue Tegus can reach a size of up to three feet in length, making them a medium-sized lizard that can be easily accommodated in a suitable enclosure.
5. Intelligent and curious: Blue Tegus are highly intelligent reptiles known for their curious nature. They enjoy exploring their surroundings and interacting with their environment.
Blue Tegu Habitat Requirements
Temperature
Blue tegus are reptiles and require a temperature gradient within their enclosure. The basking spot should be around 90-95°F (32-35°C), while the cool side of the enclosure should be around 75-85°F (24-29°C). It’s essential to provide a temperature gradient, as this allows the tegu to regulate its body temperature effectively.
Humidity
Blue tegus are native to the tropical regions of South America and thrive in high humidity environments. The humidity level in their enclosure should be maintained between 70-80%. This can be achieved by misting the enclosure with water and providing a large water dish for the tegu to soak in.
Lighting
Proper lighting is crucial for the health and well-being of your blue tegu. They require both UVA and UVB light, which helps them produce vitamin D3 and maintain their overall health. You can achieve this by using a combination of a UVA light bulb and a UVB reptile lamp.
Substrate
Hiding Spots
Blue tegus are shy animals and require hiding spots in their enclosure to feel secure. Provide multiple hiding spots, such as reptile caves or large pieces of driftwood, to give your tegu options for hiding and feeling safe.
By ensuring that your blue tegu’s habitat meets these requirements, you can create a comfortable and healthy environment for your pet. Remember to monitor the temperature, humidity, and lighting regularly and make any necessary adjustments to maintain optimal conditions for your blue tegu.
Choosing the Right Blue Tegu Enclosure
Size
Security
Substrate
Blue tegus require a substrate that mimics their natural environment. Opt for a substrate that is loose enough for them to burrow in, such as a mixture of topsoil, sand, and coconut coir. Avoid using substrates that can be ingested and cause impaction, such as loose sand or small gravel.
Temperature and Humidity
Blue tegus are tropical reptiles and require a temperature gradient in their enclosure. Provide a basking spot with a temperature of around 95°F to 100°F and a cooler area with a temperature of around 80°F. It is also important to maintain a humidity level of around 70% to 80% to ensure their health and proper shedding.
Enrichment and Hiding Places
Blue tegus are active lizards that require plenty of enrichment and hiding spots in their enclosure. Provide a variety of branches, rocks, and logs for them to climb on and explore. Additionally, provide multiple hiding places, such as reptile caves or hollow logs, where they can retreat to feel secure.
Blue Tegu Diet and Feeding Tips
Feeding your blue tegu is an important aspect of its care, as it ensures the proper development and health of the reptile. Blue tegus are omnivorous animals, which means they eat both plant and animal matter. It is essential to create a balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients for their well-being.
The diet of a blue tegu consists of various insects, small mammals, birds, fruits, and vegetables. In the wild, they primarily feed on insects and small vertebrates, but as pets, they can be fed a mix of both animal and plant-based foods.
It’s crucial to provide a calcium supplement to your blue tegu’s diet, as reptiles require high levels of calcium for their bone health. This can be achieved by dusting their food with a reptile calcium powder or offering them calcium-rich foods like crushed eggshells or cuttlebones.
Feeding your blue tegu should be done in a clean and separate feeding area to prevent them from ingesting substrate or other contaminants. It’s recommended to feed them every other day, adjusting the portion sizes based on their age and size. Younger tegus require more protein, while adult tegus require a higher plant matter intake.
Always provide fresh water in a shallow dish for your blue tegu to drink and soak in. Keeping them hydrated is crucial for their overall health. It’s also important to monitor their weight and adjust their feeding schedule accordingly to prevent obesity.
Blue Tegu Health and Common Diseases
Common Diseases
- Respiratory Infections: Blue tegus are susceptible to respiratory infections, especially if their enclosure is not properly maintained. Symptoms include wheezing, lethargy, and difficulty breathing.
- Parasites: Internal and external parasites can affect the overall health of your blue tegu. Regular fecal examinations and preventative treatments are crucial.
- Mouth Rot: This bacterial infection can occur if your blue tegu’s mouth is not kept clean. It can lead to swollen gums, bad breath, and difficulty eating.
- Metabolic Bone Disease: Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies can lead to metabolic bone disease in blue tegus. This can cause weak bones, tremors, and difficulty moving.
Prevention and Treatment
Regular check-ups with a reptile veterinarian are also essential to monitor the overall health and well-being of your blue tegu. They can provide guidance on diet, habitat maintenance, and any specific care requirements.
Conclusion
Taking care of the health of your blue tegu is crucial for its overall well-being. By being aware of common diseases and taking preventive measures, you can ensure a long and healthy life for your aquatic pet lizard. Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care will help keep your blue tegu happy and thriving as a beloved reptile companion.
Handling and Taming Blue Tegus
Handling and taming a blue tegu can be a rewarding experience for reptile enthusiasts. These fascinating lizards require proper care and attention to build trust and establish a bond with their owners.
Tips for Handling
- Start Slowly: Allow the blue tegu to adjust to their new environment before attempting to handle them. This will help them become more comfortable and reduce the likelihood of stress or aggression.
- Use Gentle Touch: When handling a blue tegu, be gentle and avoid any sudden movements. Use a calm, steady touch to help them feel secure.
- Support the Body: Always support the tegu’s body properly when handling them. This helps prevent any injury or discomfort and ensures a positive experience for both the owner and the pet.
- Be Alert: Blue tegus have sharp claws and powerful jaws, so it is essential to remain alert and cautious during handling. Avoid placing your fingers near their mouth or allowing them to scratch or bite you.
Taming a Blue Tegu
Taming a blue tegu requires time, patience, and consistency. Here are some tips to help you tame your blue tegu:
- Establish a Routine: Create a consistent handling routine for your blue tegu to help them become familiar with your presence. Start with short handling sessions and gradually increase the duration over time.
- Provide Positive Reinforcement: Reward your blue tegu with treats, praise, or their favorite activities when they display calm behavior during handling. This positive reinforcement reinforces the bond between you and your pet.
- Expose Them to Different Stimuli: Expose your blue tegu to various stimuli, such as different sounds, sights, and textures, to help them become more comfortable with new experiences. This helps desensitize them to potential stressors.
By following these tips and guidelines, you can create a strong bond with your blue tegu and enjoy the rewards of a well-handled and tamed reptile companion.
Blue Tegu Breeding and Reproduction
Mating Behavior
Blue tegus typically reach sexual maturity between the ages of 2 to 3 years. During the mating season, which typically occurs in the spring, male tegus become more active and start displaying courtship behaviors to attract females. They may bob their heads, puff out their throats, and engage in tail whipping to impress potential mates.
Female tegus, on the other hand, may exhibit receptive behaviors such as tail raising or remaining still to indicate their acceptance of the male’s advances. It is essential to provide a spacious and secure enclosure for mating, as tegus may become territorial during this time.
Egg Laying and Incubation
After successful mating, female tegus will lay their eggs around 45 to 60 days later. The ideal nesting site should be provided within the enclosure, consisting of a mixture of soil, sand, and peat moss. The female will then dig a burrow and lay her eggs, usually in a clutch of 15 to 30 eggs.
Once the eggs are laid, it is crucial to carefully remove them from the nesting area and transfer them to an incubator to ensure optimal conditions for hatching. The incubator should maintain a temperature of around 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 80 to 90 percent.
Hatching and Care of Hatchlings
The eggs of blue tegus typically hatch after an incubation period of approximately 70 to 90 days. Once the hatchlings emerge from their shells, they will be fragile and should be handled with care. It is recommended to keep the hatchlings in a separate enclosure with appropriate heating and humidity levels to support their growth and development.
Conclusion
Blue Tegu Growth and Development
Blue Tegu Lifespan and Care Tips
When properly cared for, the Blue Tegu can live for an average of 15 to 20 years in captivity. However, with the right conditions and care, some individuals have been known to live up to 25 years or more. Providing a proper diet, habitat, and regular vet check-ups are essential for ensuring the longevity and well-being of your Blue Tegu.
Ambient temperature and humidity levels are crucial for the health and well-being of Blue Tegus. The temperature gradient in the enclosure should range from 75-85°F on the cool side to 90-100°F on the warm side. Maintaining a humidity level of around 70% is also vital, as it helps with shedding and overall hydration.
Blue Tegu Enclosure Maintenance
Proper enclosure maintenance is essential for the health and well-being of your blue tegu. Regular cleaning and upkeep will help ensure a clean and safe living environment for your reptile.
Here are some important tips for maintaining a blue tegu enclosure:
Cleaning
Regularly clean the enclosure to remove any waste, uneaten food, or debris. Use a reptile-safe disinfectant to sanitize the enclosure and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Remove any soiled substrate, such as newspaper or wood chips, and replace it with fresh, clean bedding. This will help maintain a hygienic environment for your blue tegu.
Temperature and Humidity
Monitor and maintain the temperature and humidity levels in the enclosure. Blue tegus require specific heat and humidity levels to thrive. Use a thermometer and hygrometer to ensure that these conditions are within the optimal range.
Provide a temperature gradient in the enclosure, with a warm basking spot and a cooler area for your blue tegu to regulate its body temperature. This will allow your lizard to thermoregulate effectively.
Water and Hydration
Ensure that your blue tegu has access to clean, fresh water at all times. Provide a large water dish that is big enough for your lizard to soak and swim in. Blue tegus are semi-aquatic, so having a water source is essential for their well-being.
Regularly check and change the water to prevent the accumulation of bacteria or algae. You can also mist the enclosure with water to maintain the humidity levels and promote hydration.
Enrichment and Hiding Places
Offer plenty of hiding places and enrichment opportunities for your blue tegu. This can include rocks, branches, logs, and other decor that mimic their natural habitat. These hideouts will provide security and mental stimulation for your lizard.
Rotate and clean the enrichment items regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria or parasites. This will ensure that your blue tegu has a clean and stimulating environment to thrive in.
By following these enclosure maintenance tips, you can create a clean and healthy living space for your blue tegu. Regular cleaning, temperature and humidity monitoring, proper hydration, and enrichment will contribute to the overall well-being of your reptile.
Aquatic Tegus: Debunking the Myth
As reptiles, tegus have the ability to swim and may occasionally be found near bodies of water, but they are not adapted for an aquatic lifestyle. They do not have specialized features like gills or webbed feet that would enable them to live in water for extended periods of time.
Despite not being aquatic, tegus do enjoy water and it plays an important role in their lives. They will often soak in shallow pools of water to help regulate their body temperature and aid in shedding their skin. Providing a water source in their enclosure is essential for their overall health and well-being.
Many tegu owners choose to create a shallow water feature in their enclosures, such as a large water dish or a small pool. This allows the tegus to have access to water whenever they need it, while still providing them with a dry area to retreat to if they choose.
I’m Lena Adams—a product of an unconventional upbringing in the African wilderness. My father, a daring explorer of African wildlife, sparked my fascination with reptiles, a passion that intertwined with the tragic loss of my mother during an expedition, leaving an indelible mark on my life. Driven to understand the creatures that captivated my parents, I embarked on my journey, sharing insights about reptiles, frogs, and lizards on my website. Through my explorations and conservation efforts, I honour my family’s legacy while seeking connections—to the creatures, nature, and the mother whose presence I yearn to understand.