Looking for black throated monitor or rhino iguana

[mintydragon]

I've been looking for a black throated monitor or rhino iguana, preferably very young so I can raise them how I like. I hear they are quite intelligent and can be trained, and make great pets for the responsible owner. If anybody has any information on where I could look, or if you breed them yourself, please let me know.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

You won't find a rhinoceros iguana. They're not cheap or easy to find in the USA, and even more difficult to get them from the USA to here.

Black-throats are fairly readily available, but probably all imported/farmed babies. J&J Reptiles is the most likely source of them, though I don't think they have any at the moment. They can certainly be tamed, but they are strong, curious, and cranky. They also get very large. Think of a Siamese cat with scales and extra attitude. Sociable - on THEIR terms.

[mintydragon]

Thank you for your reply Frogeyes. From the research I've been doing, Tegus are also fairly easy to get a hold of around this area, and I think a lizard like that would be more suited for the place I live. I would need to build my own enclosure indoors in a nice warm area of the house for those winter months, and take into account how powerful of an animal they are - I saw a video of one that broke a piece off a guys vent he installed. It's still quite a ways down the road, a year or more before I would want to take care of one. The reptiles I've taken care of so far have been very rewarding, and I'm looking for more of a challenge and make more of a hobby out of it. I'm definitely looking for tegu hatchlings, preferably black and whites.

I'll be sure to make it to the next reptile show, I missed last years!

[tegu_man]

Tegu easy to come by? personally I haven't seen a hatchling for sale in a very long time. I know of only one breeder in canada. when you do get one, be prepared before it get's home, a tegu enclosure is not one that throws together quickly. they love it hot and humid so figure out how your going to keep humidity in first. it's easier said than done.

p.s. I have never seen a tegu for sale at a reptile show in alberta.

[mintydragon]

If I take a look at kijiji there appears to be people who feel like they can't take care of their tegus in Calgary (or want to get rid of them before they grow too large), that's what I meant by they seem common in comparison to some other larger lizards. Hatchlings I could see being rare, considering that the timing has to be right. I used to be hesitant at rescuing a lizard given they carry their inheritance and behavior from possible past neglect or abuse with them, but I'm beginning to see they can be just as 'plastic' as mammals and can gradually become comfortable around people with the right amount of time invested in handling and taking care of them. I'm still researching accommodation requirements for the different kinds of large lizards so that information on proper humidity for the tegu is good information. Rest assured everything will be in order long before I decide to pick one up. My brother is into engineering and I do a bit of carpentry so between the two of us I think we could build a proper enclosure with the right humidity and heat.

[tegu_man]

as an adult your looking at 3x6 minnimum larger is always better. especially if you don't intend on letting it roam or taking it outside for excersise. they wil eventually dig through wood and wood will Rot out oer time from humidity. I use a mix of coco fiber soil and sand for substrate, a foot deep to allow digging burowing and also keep humidity up. for proper shedding 70% is a good target for humidity, though I find a lot of the time it's easier to keep a hide or burrow humid then the air. your looking at a room temp cool side and a basking spot up to 130f. I keep mine closer to 115 this allows my cool side temps to be where I want them. Tegu are extremely intelligent, great pets. However you are right they don't always grow up to be nice and rehabilitation takes a lot of patients and time. it can be done, my male B&W would try and take your hand off and jump through the top of his enclosure at you. now unless he thinks its dinner time is puppy dog tame. he's even been in kids corner at taras shows. any questions on the topic of tegu I would be happy to help with. there is a lot of bad information out there.

[tegu_man]

If I take a look at kijiji there appears to be people who feel like they can't take care of their tegus in Calgary (or want to get rid of them before they grow too large), that's what I meant by they seem common in comparison to some other larger lizards. .

incedentally I've contacted the folks with available tegu, none have responded.

[mintydragon]

incedentally I've contacted the folks with available tegu, none have responded.

No luck on my end either. I'll keep my ears to the ground and keep hanging around these parts, if you guys have any more leads I would be very happy to hear them.

[tegu_man]

there's a breeder in ontario, your looking at about $350 plus shipping that route though.

[hobolyra]

I agree that a foot of dirt is a good idea in a tegu enclosure. Mine is more of a "Tremor" then a lizard, moving mounds around her cage. And even with decent humidity be prepared to help remove shedding from toes (Only place mine can't seem to get off without help). With a lot of handling, training and care the tegu can be a really awesome animal to take care of. I freakin' love mine and enjoy letting her run around the front yard (supervised!) when it's warm.