Which is tamer?

akward_silence91 · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2008 Posts: 17

I have heard a lot of people say that the Argentine Black and white tegu is the way to go for tameness, but Bert Langwerf in his recent article in Reptile magazine ( www.reptile-channel.com) said that red tegus tend to be tamer. I don't know if I should belive in the masses of people saying B&W or a professional breeder saying red. Whats your suggestions?

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jose2187 · Honored Member Joined: Mar 08, 2008 Posts: 259

personal experience the red tegu, because the b&w will hold it's ground more and the red is more submissive

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1455

Hi and welcome to theTegu family

over all argentine tegus in general are more easily tamed then colombians. imo, I have heard just about all of them having some difficulty at some point.

I have two args m/f and one colombian. the b/w args are with me for about three mos. and my colombian about three years. my colombian is more 'tame' then my female arg. (so far).

just give them time to see and get to know you. don't pressure them or they will end up seeing you as a threat.

akward_silence91 · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2008 Posts: 17

thanks for all the info so far, so is that why reds are more expensive? and is the difference in tameness really notable or is it not much?

jose2187 · Honored Member Joined: Mar 08, 2008 Posts: 259

the red tegu is larger than the b&w it's not bread as much as the b&w either, due to it being a little tricker to keep. my red arrived in hibernation and when he came ot of hibernation i first tried to handle him with a glove just in case but it was pontless because he had no intentions of bitting you could just reach down and pick him up. when he free roamed and wouldbe in a room and i went to get him in a corner for example he wouldn't hiss or try to bite he would just lay flat like "i surrender" and you could pick him right up. But the B&w we had would tail whip and hiss and bite he would calm down and you could hold him and handle him but he would be fussy . He had more spunk and he was more agro, but when finnally picked up he would go to sleep in your hand.

Ben3233 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

Wow!!! Thanks for the info too, I thought that Black and White were tamer than reds, seems to be interesting,

red Tegu are easier to get in Québec, I am going to take a look at it!

Thanks everybody!

_________________
Ben
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mistery, but today is a gift...that is why we call it the present". -Tortoise Oogway

akward_silence91 · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2008 Posts: 17

what makes them harder to keep? is it the size? Does a 68"- 42"- 36" work for a red or is it too small?

jose2187 · Honored Member Joined: Mar 08, 2008 Posts: 259

they require more humidity and alot of fruit in the diet , if they dont get enough of both of these the can suffer from ringing that is when the shed gets stuck on the toes and can cut of blood flow and the tip of the tail too , they can loose toes this way ,now on a breeder stand point fruit is expensive to feed to animals and to have to monitor the animals so much is not worth it, b&w don't have these problems as much so they are an easier route to go. I love the red's they are worth the extra work.

Ben3233 · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

Yes I heard about the difficult shedding of the Reds, I have a preference for the color and the size.

Even if they are harder to maintain the humidity level and the shedding process, I guess that if they have a better temperament, it will be much better!

He/she will just need a longer and harder maintenance.

However if you want to have a good humidity level, buy a fogging machine they can raise the humidity level to 100%. Someone told me that this machine is awesome!!! (only 50-60$)

Now then I know that they are more submissive, I will take a look on them

Thanks for the information!!!

and good luck with all your Tegus guys!!!

_________________
Ben
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mistery, but today is a gift...that is why we call it the present". -Tortoise Oogway