Red tegu (Salvator rufescens)

Short answers

Red tegu: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 250×120×100 cm for one adult animal (a walk-in facility or room is better).

Red tegu: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 40–50 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Red tegu: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5).

Red tegu: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Red tegu: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

40–50 °C

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 250×120×100 cm for one adult animal (a walk-in facility or room is better)

Substrate

A deep, diggable mix of soil, sand and bark mulch (at least 20–30 cm, for a burrow)

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous to omnivorous: insects, rodents, chicks, fish, eggs, a little fruit; juveniles take mostly insects

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

90–130 cm total length (tail included)

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia (the arid Chaco region)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B → registration with the nature conservation authority, proof of origin required

Brumation

A winter rest or brumation is recommended, about 2–3 months at ~15–18 °C (a natural rhythm that encourages reproduction)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial, and the males do not get on. Keep them as a pair only temporarily for breeding, in a very large facility with visual barriers and constant supervision.

Notes

A large, intelligent, powerful lizard; it can become tame, but has a strong bite and claws. The males develop jowls. Common mistakes: a terrarium that is too small or too cold, no winter rest, and obesity from food that is too fatty. Sometimes listed as Salvator/Tupinambis rufescens or as a subspecies.

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Related species

• Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) – Intermediate
• Yellow tegu (Salvator dracaena) – Intermediate
• Red tegu (Salvator duseni) – Intermediate
• Chilean dwarf tegu (Callopistes maculatus) – Intermediate
• Golden tegu (Tupinambis cryptus) – Intermediate
• Golden tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) – Intermediate
• Caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis) – Expert
• Crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Red tegu (Salvator rufescens) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 250×120×100 cm for one adult animal (a walk-in facility or room is better)), substrate (A deep, diggable mix of soil, sand and bark mulch (at least 20–30 cm, for a burrow)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.