Dwarf Tegu? (Callopistes maculatus)

Does anybody have experience with this species? I'm doing some preliminary research into them as they seem like they would be interesting to observe and work with.

Thanks

Steve, I kept a pair of dwarf tegus for about a year. They were wc adults. A buddy of mine had this pair before me for about 6 months.

I set them up in a 30 gallon tank with a very deep substrate of ground coconut mixed with orchid bark. Hides were created with various cork bark pieces. Heat pad on one end, overhead light. They also loved to be misted( daily)

Feeding was very straight forward........ they ate anything that moved!!! Cricets,mealwoms,waxworms, pinkie or fuzzie mice, ground turkey.

The downside for me was the fact that they alway hid. They also were very skittish. Perhaps, being adults they just couldnt adjust to captivity. Juveniles might be a better choice to set up. I hope this info helps. Any other questions,.. please feel free to email me...... Ken Leach kenchat046@aol.com

Ken,

Thanks. What happened to the pair? Did you make any attempts to breed them?

Unfortunately WC adults are all you're likely to see in the US, and I'm wondering if that could change. There are very few resources available on them, some say breeding is impossible but a few do have some reproductive information that sounds hopeful.

Steve, I sold the pair last summer.........I didnt try to beed them. For me, I thought they would do better in another environment. I really liked them but I didnt like seeing them crash into the tank or freak out all the time. Its a shame,because I think if they were bred, the would led themselves nicely to the hobby( esp with the interest in small monitors)

All the info I ever received on the wc adults seemed to agree that they are high strung and flighty........ Good luck with your effors and keep me posted............... K