RecoveryLizards
Argentine black & white tegu care guide
Salvator merianae
A large, dog-tame lizard that brumates and digs. Plan for a custom 8x4 ft enclosure from day one; some states restrict tegus, so check your local law.
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing
Argentine black & white tegu enclosure size
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing. An adult argentine black & white tegu should live in at least 96" L × 48" W × 36" H; we build toward 144" L × 72" W × 48" H (12 × 6 × 4 ft, roughly 72 sq ft of floor and about a 2154-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 96" L × 48" W × 36" H recommended · min 72" L × 36" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 144" L × 72" W × 48" H recommended · min 96" L × 48" W × 36" H
Temperature and heating
Halogen flood cluster over a wide basking platform, dimmer-controlled.
- Basking / warm surface
- 110–120°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 90–95°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–80°F ambient
- Night
- 70–78°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 10–12% over the basking zone (UVI 4–6). Run lights on a 12–14 hours, shortened for brumation photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 70–80%. Deep damp substrate plus a large soaking tub; dry tegus develop shed and eye problems.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / coco coir / play-sand blend. Depth: 12–18 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Wide basking platform
- Burrow / hide box an adult fits inside
- Soaking tub
- Heavy branches and clutter
Build list
- Custom 8x4x4 ft enclosure — Adults reach 3–4 ft and need real room.
- Halogen cluster + T5 UVB 12% — Wide, hot basking area for a big-bodied lizard.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Bulk soil/coir blend — Deep enough to dig and hold 70%+ humidity.
Argentine black & white tegu FAQ
How big should an adult Argentine black & white tegu enclosure be?
At least 96" L × 48" W × 36" H, and we recommend building to 144" L × 72" W × 48" H — about 12 × 6 × 4 ft, or a 2154-gallon glass equivalent. Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing.
What temperatures does a Argentine black & white tegu need?
Basking or warm surface 110–120°F surface, warm side 90–95°F ambient, cool side 75–80°F ambient, night 70–78°F. Halogen flood cluster over a wide basking platform, dimmer-controlled.
Does a Argentine black & white tegu need UVB?
T5 UVB 10–12% over the basking zone (UVI 4–6). Photoperiod: 12–14 hours, shortened for brumation.
What humidity does a Argentine black & white tegu need?
70–80%. Deep damp substrate plus a large soaking tub; dry tegus develop shed and eye problems.
What substrate is best for a Argentine black & white tegu?
Topsoil / coco coir / play-sand blend, at a depth of 12–18 in.
How big does a Argentine black & white tegu enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 18" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own argentine black & white tegu record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.