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, easy to gut-load, and sized appropriately across their whole growth curve as we offer multiple nymph sizes. Superworms are a good higher-calorie option as tegus approach adult size.
Feeding Schedule
- Hatchlings (0–6 months): Insects daily, as much as consumed in 10–15 minutes.
- Juveniles (6–18 months): Insects most days, gradually introducing eggs and lean meats alongside.
- Adults (18+ months): Insects become a minority of the diet — a few times a week alongside whole prey, eggs and ground meat.
Supplements & Gut-Loading
During the insect-heavy hatchling stage especially, gut-loading matters — a poorly-fed feeder passes very little nutrition on. See our gut-loading guide for what we feed our colonies before they ship.
A Few Things to Watch For
Tegus have a strong feeding response and will happily overeat — for adults especially, resist the urge to feed insects as a daily habit once whole prey and eggs make up most of the diet.