How to Breed Tegu Lizards

Tupinambis lizards, commonly known as tegu lizards, are a species of lizard native to South America that have become a popular reptile to keep as a pet in the U.S. The adult tegu lizard is large, measuring up to 40 inches long and weighing as much as 5 lb. Breeding adult tegu lizards can prove to be challenging because these lizards will rarely breed outside of their natural environment. The best strategy is to allow the lizards to become comfortable in a terrarium together and place them together during their natural breeding season.

Things You'll Need

  • One adult male tegu lizard
  • One adult female tegu lizard
  • Large terrarium
  • Basking rock
  • Heat lamp
  • Fresh water
  • Tegu lizard food (meats, mice, diced vegetables and fruits)
  • Terrarium bedding (available at most pet stores)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a large-size terrarium with an abundant amount of foliage, a basking rock, fresh water and a food dish filled with foods such as store-bought meats, mice from the pet store, and cut-up fruits and vegetables.

    • 2

      Place a heat lamp over the basking rock. The temperature should be about 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit within the terrarium and hotter, about 100 degrees, on the basking rock. The terrarium should be as comfortable as possible for breeding to occur.

    • 3

      Place the male and female tegu lizards inside the terrarium seperately, allowing each lizard to get used to its surroundings before introducing the lizards to one another.

    • 4

      While keeping an eye on the tegu lizards, introduce the two to one another by placing them together in the terrarium. Make sure they are not aggressive toward one another. Allow them to stay together in the terrarium for several hours a day in order to become comfortable with their surroundings and one another.

    • 5

      During the fall, when the tegu natural breeding season occurs, place the two tegu lizards together permanently.

    • 6

      Be patient. Tegus do not always mate in captivity. You cannot force the tegus to mate, but only wait and watch for signs of pregnancy in the female.

    • 7

      Place a large amount of foliage and natural terrarium bedding (available at most pet stores) in an area that will allow the female to burrow in order to lay her eggs.

    • 8

      Once the female has laid eggs, remove the male tegu lizard and place him in a separate terrarium to keep the eggs safe from him.