Lizards
Red tegu care guide
Salvator rufescens
A large (3–4.5 ft) intelligent omnivore that brumates in winter.
Terrestrial — floor space first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Red tegu enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult red tegu should live in at least 96" L × 48" W × 36" H; we build toward 96" L × 48" W × 48" H (8 × 4 × 4 ft, roughly 32 sq ft of floor and about a 958-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 96" L × 48" W × 48" H recommended · min 96" L × 48" W × 36" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 100–110°F basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–90°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–80°F
- Night
- 65–75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–80%. Deep moist substrate and a large soaking tub.
Substrate and depth
Soil/cypress mix that holds burrows. Depth: 8–12 in.
Diet and feeding
Omnivore: whole prey, insects, eggs, plus fruit and vegetables; dust with calcium.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- 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.
Red tegu FAQ
How big should an adult Red tegu enclosure be?
At least 96" L × 48" W × 36" H, and we recommend building to 96" L × 48" W × 48" H — about 8 × 4 × 4 ft, or a 958-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Red tegu need?
Basking or warm surface 100–110°F basking spot, warm side 85–90°F, cool side 75–80°F, night 65–75°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Red tegu need UVB?
Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Red tegu need?
60–80%. Deep moist substrate and a large soaking tub.
What substrate is best for a Red tegu?
Soil/cypress mix that holds burrows, at a depth of 8–12 in.
How big does a Red tegu enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 18" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own red tegu record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.