Is there something wrong or is it odd...

TeguNoobie · Member Joined: Mar 29, 2008 Posts: 29

that my tegu prefers to hide on the cool side always. His warm side is about 90-100F with a basking spot of 110-120F and the cool side is around 80F. Is this too hot for him or is this normal behavior?

txrepgirl · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

Hi TeguNoobie.The basking spot shouldn't be higher than 115.If you don't want to buy a new basking light what you can do if you want to ( I know it will look strange but it will work ) tape a shower curtain rod on the back of the enclosure and clam the light on there.That way you can raise it or lower the light to get the right temps.I have been doing it and I like it.Hope that helps.

Sweenox · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 6:42 pm Post subject:

Hey,hows things,the temps in my tank are the same as yours and my tegu only burrows and sleeps in the cool side too.I like txrepgirls idea,might give that a go too

TeguNoobie · Member Joined: Mar 29, 2008 Posts: 29

I don't know if I can go much lower without having the tank heated up right. Right now I have a 100 Watt red bulb in a 6x2.5x2 tank and it givesw it the temps that I mentioned earlier.

I was thinking I can try and do a 75 watt(if there is such thing) on the hotter side and 50 on the cooler side? What you guys think?

txrepgirl · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject:

Sweenox.I'm glad that you like the idea.Hope it works for you as well as did for me.

TeguNobbie.Here is some info on lighting.Hope it helps.If you need the writing to be larger you can click on the plus sign at the top of the post.

http://www.hagen.com/pdf/reptiles/Exo_Terra_Lighting_Guide_EN.pdf

TeguNoobie · Member Joined: Mar 29, 2008 Posts: 29

thanks txrepgirl you've been the most help by far!!!!!! This wouldn't be any chance of him trying to hibernate would he because this has only been going on the last couple of days.

thanks for the link as well, but I was just asking if the 50 watt and 75 watt would be sufficient enough to get the right temps for the tegu in a 6x3x2 cage. 75-80 on cool side, and 90-100(is this too hot for the hot side?) would 90-95 be better? PLus a 115 basking temp.

txrepgirl · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 10:00 pm Post subject:

thank you so much for the kind words

.I'm just happy to be able to help where ever I can.If the Tegus ( and members of corse ) are happy I'm happy

.Here is some more info on the temps.The only thing that I disagree with is the heat pad and they DO NEED THE UVB.But the temps are right.I'm sorry that I can't answer your question about what wattage to use for what enclosure.We are just now starting to build our bigger enclosure and we have to figure out,too,on witch one to use

.I wish I would know every thing but I don't.

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/animal-care-sheets/lizards-and-monitors/-/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/

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

hi TeguNoobie and Welcome.

tegus can handle the cold a lot better then the heat. most people think the argentines are tropical when actually (most) they come from argentina and the weather can get cold there. colombian tegus are tropical.

you should place the heat on one end of the enclosure and the hide box at the other end so they can cool down in their hide box.

ideal temps would be: basking side 90 - 110, cool side 70 - 75

I hope this helps you.