How to Incubate Argentine Tegu Eggs

Of the seven lizards in the tegu genus, Argentine tegus are the largest reaching sizes up to 4 feet long, weighing over 8 pounds. Though they are capable of moving very quickly and can inflict a painful bite, Argentine tegus are generally docile. Owners should not take breeding tegus lightly because the tiny babies will grow into adults who need lots of space and food. If you're not sure you can provide this, avoid incubating tegu eggs. Unlike the eggs of other lizards, tegu eggs get larger and harder as they get closer to hatching. It's important to avoid allowing the eggs to become too moist because they can easily mold.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 cup Perlite
  • 1 cup Vermiculite
  • 1/3 cup water
  • Heat light or heating pad
  • Thermometer
  • Water mister
  • Box
  • Thermostat
  • Humidity gauge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Incubate only as many eggs as you can competently care for. Tegus lay huge clutches of eggs ranging from 30 to 70. Even the most competent tegu caregiver can't be reasonably expected to care for this many hatchlings. When removing eggs from the tegu enclosure and placing them in the incubator, avoid rotating or shaking them.

    • 2

      Use a small box to incubate the eggs. Small plastic containers and sturdy cardboard boxes both work well for this purpose. The box should not be flammable, susceptible to overheating or easily destroyed. Soft cardboard and paper may melt or mold as a result of the humidity. Cover the incubator with a lid or piece of cardboard. If you are using a lid, set the lid on top of the container but don't snap it closed. Poke a few small holes in cardboard lids.

    • 3

      Fill the container with a substrate comprised of 1 cup of vermiculite and 1 cup of perlite mixed with 1/3 cup water. Place the eggs in the substrate. The mixture should cover 3/4 of the eggs leaving the top of the eggs exposed.

    • 4

      Place a heating pad under the incubator or a heat lamp over it. The temperature in the incubator should be between 85 and 88 degrees. If you are using a heating pad to maintain the temperature in the incubator, carefully monitor the temperature at the bottom of the incubator because heating pads frequently cause overheating. Similarly, heat lights may dry out the eggs and substrate more rapidly so closely monitor the humidity in the incubator. Attach the heating pad or heat light to a thermostat to ensure the temperature remains consistent.

    • 5

      Put a humidity gauge in the incubator. The humidity for incubating tegu eggs should be 80 to 100 percent. When the humidity gets low, mist the substrate with water.