Argentine Tegus
Reptile
Tegu diets change dramatically with age. Hatchlings are largely insectivorous; adults shift toward whole prey, eggs, and lean protein, with insects becoming a smaller part of a much bigger meal.
Feeder Choices
Dubia roaches are ideal for hatchlings and juveniles — high protein and available in multiple nymph sizes. Superworms are a good higher-calorie option as tegus approach adult size.
Feeding Schedule
- Hatchlings (0–6 months): Small dubia roach nymphs daily to near-daily, as much as consumed in 10–15 minutes.
- Juveniles (6–18 months): Medium dubia roach nymphs most days, gradually introducing eggs and lean meats.
- Adults (18–24+ months): Large dubia roach nymphs or Large superworms become a minor, occasional part of the diet as whole prey and eggs take over.
Supplements & Gut-Loading
Dust insects with calcium at most feedings during the insect-heavy hatchling and juvenile stages — whole prey and eggs don't need dusting, since bone and shell already supply calcium. Whether UVB lighting is strictly necessary for tegus is genuinely disputed among exotic-animal vets — some recommend it as standard practice alongside D3-free calcium, others consider it typically unnecessary on a varied whole-prey diet — so providing it is the safer default when in doubt. Gut-loading matters just as much: a poorly-fed feeder passes very little nutrition on. See our gut-loading guide for what we feed our colonies.
Common Mistakes
Tegus have a strong feeding response and will happily overeat. Daily feeding — especially of fatty whole prey — is the leading cause of obesity in captive tegus, so taper insect frequency down as whole prey and eggs become the adult diet's foundation.