Size cage for hatcling tegus??

I talked to Bert Langerwerf of (Agama International). He wanted me to make a post about the size of the tegu enclosures for hatchlings, as well as the temps. He said that he has had several people contact him about the tegus dying. He said that most of them are keeping the babies in too small of a tank (10 Gallon). And that the temps are too hot when they use a basking light. He also said they need a place to cool off to at least 70*.I recommend at least a 20 long with the basking bulb at one end. The basking bulb should not make the temps on the basking end go up over 110*, if so the temps are too hot. Tegus are well known for basking in the wild in the cooler parts of the day. They bask in the morning and evening. They spend the hottest part of the day in their hide. I have found this to be true in my outdoor enclosures as well. Tegus need a place to warm up, as well as a place to cool off. I use a 20 long as well as 40 breeders when using tanks. I put my heat on one end. I use a 65 watt bulb. I also use a strip light with a repti-sun bulb (For UV lighting), but this gives off very little heat. It is very important to have a place for these guys to cool off. If you tegu can not get away from the heat it will die, but it is also very important to have a place for them to warm up as well. They need heat in order to digest their food.

If you have any questions on this, feel free to ask. I will do my best to have the answer.

Bobby,

I was wondering what size cage is optimal for a baby tegu and at what length they should be upgraded. Some lizards like bearded dragons need to be kept in smaller enclosures until they get to a certain length and they they can be moved to their normal enclosure. How do tegus do if they are put into a larger enclosure rather than kept in a smaller one? I use high sided Rubbermaid containers for baby beardies and tortoises until they have grown enough to live comfortably in a larger enclosure and then I move them to vinyl coated pens with wire screen tops that are roughly 5'x5' depending. Would putting a little one in the larger pen right away be too much?

I really hate aquariums as I think they really can't be regulated adequately for temps and humidity.

I personally would start them off in not less than a 55 gallon tank. They grow so fast that a 20 gallon would be outgrown in no time at all. At least a 55 will give you a few months AND it's long enough to actually create a real thermal gradiant. Just MHO.