• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Tegu Feeding Guidelines- Help!

S

snakewrangler

Project Python LLC
Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
376
Reaction score
14
Points
0
Location
Gainesville, VA, USA
Howdy All,

I picked up an argentine tegu last month and I'm confused as to how much to feed him. All of the literature states that tegus and monitors are prone to obesity in captivity, so its important not to overfeed. This guy eats anything and everything. He is definitely not an adult, and I am estimating him to be about 2' including tail. So far he has been eating pinkies, hoppers, dog food, crickets, fruit, and MK salad. I just don't think he is eating enough because he is aggressive in the morning right befor feeding time. He likes to jump up in the air and try to grab the mice from me. I'm feeding him 4-5 days a week- should I bump this up?
 
SethsExotics said:
Howdy All,

I picked up an argentine tegu last month and I'm confused as to how much to feed him. All of the literature states that tegus and monitors are prone to obesity in captivity, so its important not to overfeed. This guy eats anything and everything. He is definitely not an adult, and I am estimating him to be about 2' including tail. So far he has been eating pinkies, hoppers, dog food, crickets, fruit, and MK salad. I just don't think he is eating enough because he is aggressive in the morning right befor feeding time. He likes to jump up in the air and try to grab the mice from me. I'm feeding him 4-5 days a week- should I bump this up?
Click to expand...

This should help a little. http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78209

Also if your Argentine is going to hibernate this season, it would be fine to feed him real well, with no problems. If he is not going to hibernate, then his food intake should be kept as such not to let him get obese. The tips in the care sheet will help with the strong feeding responce. I will also add, that dog/cat food may contain dye that is toxic to reptiles. Red# 40 and Red# 5.
They are made for dogs and cats, they are also full of ash. This can sometimes build up and cause a blockage. I feed my tegus every day, but mine hibernate 7 months of the year. It would be fine to feed them every day, but if they will not be hibernating, then it would be in moderation.
I hope this helps, if you need more information, feel free to ask!! :) And welcome to the forums!
 
No problem, glad to help!! And if you get the chance, post some pics. :)
 
There's really no reason that you should be feeding dog/cat food of any sort ("natural" or not). Nor should you be feeding pinkies if he'll take hoppers. A varied diet is great, but both pinkies and dog/cat food are basically junk food. Hoppers, chicks, ground turkey, varied insects (roaches, crickets, mealworms, etc) and a variety of fruits and veggies is the way to go.
 
Back
Top