Crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus)
Monitors & tegus · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus) (origin: The Amazon basin). Adult size around 60–100 cm total length. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Crocodile tegu: How big does the enclosure need to be?
200×100×80 cm aqua-terrarium.
Crocodile tegu: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 23–26 °C.
Crocodile tegu: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).
Crocodile tegu: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Crocodile tegu: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 28–33 °C
- Night temperature
- 23–26 °C
- Basking spot
- 40 °C
- Humidity
- 75–90 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 200×100×80 cm aqua-terrarium
- Substrate
- Soil and bark mulch, a large water section with a current, roots
Feeding
- Food
- Fish, crayfish, insects, frogs
- Feeding interval
- 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–100 cm total length
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- The Amazon basin
- Protection status
- CITES II
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Single housing is the least stressful. Little is known about the species' social behaviour in nature; in related tegus adults are territorial and injure each other with bites, and even small size differences lead to one animal claiming basking spot and food. A pair only for mating under supervision, then separate again.
Notes
A semi-aquatic tegu with a laterally flattened rudder tail – it hunts while swimming. It needs a genuine aquaterrarium with a deep, filtered water section. Rare in captivity and demanding.
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Related species
- Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) – Intermediate
- Yellow tegu (Salvator dracaena) – Intermediate
- Chilean dwarf tegu (Callopistes maculatus) – Intermediate
- Golden tegu (Tupinambis cryptus) – Intermediate
- Golden tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) – Intermediate
- Caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis) – Expert
- Paraguay caiman lizard (Dracaena paraguayensis) – Expert
- Yellow-spotted dwarf tegu (Callopistes flavipunctatus) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×100×80 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (Soil and bark mulch, a large water section with a current, roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Crocodile tegu / Crocodilurus amazonicus (Wikipedia): Taxonomie/Oekologie, keine Inkubationsdaten – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodilurus, Argentine black and white tegu (Wikipedia): Inkubation Ø 64 Tage, Spanne 40-75 Tage je nach Temperatur – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_black_and_white_tegu, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodilurus, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crocodilurus&species=amazonicus, https://thebhs.org/publications/the-herpetological-journal/volume-16-number-2-april-2006/435-08-life-in-the-water-ecology-of-the-jacarerana-lizard-i-crocodilurus-amazonicus-i
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).