The 1000 dollar lizard. That is what my husband calls Kaiju. In his head, he is thinking more like 1200. In my mind, I'm thinking 500. The truth lies in between. As promised, I'm going to present the more realistic numbers of the cost of owning a tegu at the start. On the surface when you first think about preparing for a tegu it looks like .. tegu 150, enclosure 300 and then miscellaneous. And that couldn't be further from the truth.
So as promised, here is a detailed (minus brand names), yet still incomplete list of what we personally had to get in order to own a tegu in no particular order.
And below are photos to demonstrate the stages of the actual build. The enclosure takes up almost 1/3 of a room, so it was impossible to get a full shot of it. We have yet to finish the outside for aesthetics.
Supplies
Tools
Obviously:
*If you are starting out with a small baby, add to that:
I hate to put a dollar amount on it because it all depends on the areas you live in, available resources (people you can borrow from, trade with, etc), who you know (getting discounts), etc. Examples: Some people "know someone" so they can get a hold of an old used window. Some don't. Some people may live in an area where they can get cheap glass. Others don't. Some people have several extra rolls of electrical tape laying around or know friends that will donate some. Others don't. We had nothing and even had to borrow a couple commonly owned tools from a neighbor. Also there are contingency factors to consider. Such as drill bits breaking, wrong cuts in the wood, spilled paint and so forth. I will be back with an estimate later...
And it doesn't necessarily end. There are the running costs:
That all said, know that is the worst of the worst. The most it could possibly cost to my knowledge. I just wanted to present the worst possible scenario because no where online could I find a truly reasonable representation of the cost to get started ... especially if you don't have many resources or if you live in an area that has high costs. I don't want this to stop anyone from getting a tegu! As I said, this is the worst case scenario and I just didn't want anyone to run into what we did ... which was a baby tegu outgrowing it's temporary enclosure only to be homeless and live in a bathroom 'apartment' for months. We were scrounging not just for money to finish getting our supplies but for the "time" build the enclosure. The ongoing costs that are listed above is also a very high estimate. There are cheaper ways to care for a tegu and again, many have different resources than others. For example, some people feed their tegus raw scraps set aside from their own meals that would otherwise be tossed and mixed meats and innards, some feed prey they've raised themselves rather than buying from a supplier, and so forth. Sometimes doing one thing is like killing 2 birds with one stone. For example feeding whole prey means you don't have to give vitamins and in many cases calcium. Some people choose to do a bioactive substrate rather than buying other sorts of "bedding". It is possible to get that outside. There are many cheaper options (as well as more expensive ones). You get the point.
I also want you to keep something else in mind. This is not any more costly, especially the up keep, than it is for many other pets. The cost is also very high to do right by a good number of larger pets. Many dogs are expensive to buy, add to that all the shots, toys, dog dishes, leashes, collars, sometimes school, grooming supplies, outdoor enclosures or fences vet visits and them eating you house out of home. And so forth. Ferrets cost more than a Colombian tegu but less than an Argentine, and their cages cost hundreds. Ferret supplies are endless. Large parrots ... I won't even touch that with a ten foot pole. The difference is, you are a bit more prepared for setting up the more mainstream pets because cages and supplies are mass produced finished products, readily available (used or new), and prices are widely advertised, so the costs are up front at a glance. "Build it yourself" is not always cheapest. So bottom line is ... before you read this blog and think to yourself, "Oh hell to the no" when you see the cost, think again. Another large companion animal isn't always going to be less IF you do right by them.
So as promised, here is a detailed (minus brand names), yet still incomplete list of what we personally had to get in order to own a tegu in no particular order.
And below are photos to demonstrate the stages of the actual build. The enclosure takes up almost 1/3 of a room, so it was impossible to get a full shot of it. We have yet to finish the outside for aesthetics.
Supplies
- 1 large 4-5 foot window that slides from both sides
- 1 gallon of Drylock Extreme latex based
- Kitchen/bathroom zero voc paint
- Paint brushes
- Paint stirrer and paint can opener
- 2-3 Water proof and paintable silicone caulk
- 4 4’ x 8’ ½ inch hardwood plywood, untreated
- 1 4' x 8' 1/2 FRP board (see addendom and video below the photos)
- X (10?)2'x4’s
- 1 ¾ inch or greater 3'x2' board
- X 2"x"2's
- 3-4 vent registers
- 4 heavy duty handles
- 1 outdoor flood light fixture
- 1 large box of deck screws
- X Brackets
- 2 65 watt par 38 flood lights
- 48” HO T5 Arcadia UVBbulb
- 48" inch fixture
- Xxxxxx electrical
- Xxxxxx extension cord
- Xxxxxx power strip
- Electrical fixings (wires, covers, clips)
- 5 bags of pure cypress substrate
- 1 large roll of plastic for painters or tarp
- Water dish
- Temp gun and/or probes
- Timer
- Spray mister or commercial sprayer
- X sand paper
- Gas due to X or XX number of trips to Home Depot. And believe me ... there will be many no matter how prepared you are.
- Supplies for wall repair as you will be punching it several times in frustration unless you've done this before and are experienced.
- Priceless ... time
Tools
- Hammer, drill, drill bits, screw bits, level, carpenters square, skill saw, saw horse, tape measure
Obviously:
- 1 Tegu
*If you are starting out with a small baby, add to that:
- Appropriately sized large tank/aquarium
- Enclosure top
- UVB fixture
- UVB bulb
- Basking light fixture
- Basking bulb
- Coconut husk bedding, organic top soil, or the like
- small water bowl
I hate to put a dollar amount on it because it all depends on the areas you live in, available resources (people you can borrow from, trade with, etc), who you know (getting discounts), etc. Examples: Some people "know someone" so they can get a hold of an old used window. Some don't. Some people may live in an area where they can get cheap glass. Others don't. Some people have several extra rolls of electrical tape laying around or know friends that will donate some. Others don't. We had nothing and even had to borrow a couple commonly owned tools from a neighbor. Also there are contingency factors to consider. Such as drill bits breaking, wrong cuts in the wood, spilled paint and so forth. I will be back with an estimate later...
And it doesn't necessarily end. There are the running costs:
- Food
- Multivitamin
- Calcium
- Bedding
- Cleaning supplies
- Electric bill
- Veterinary
That all said, know that is the worst of the worst. The most it could possibly cost to my knowledge. I just wanted to present the worst possible scenario because no where online could I find a truly reasonable representation of the cost to get started ... especially if you don't have many resources or if you live in an area that has high costs. I don't want this to stop anyone from getting a tegu! As I said, this is the worst case scenario and I just didn't want anyone to run into what we did ... which was a baby tegu outgrowing it's temporary enclosure only to be homeless and live in a bathroom 'apartment' for months. We were scrounging not just for money to finish getting our supplies but for the "time" build the enclosure. The ongoing costs that are listed above is also a very high estimate. There are cheaper ways to care for a tegu and again, many have different resources than others. For example, some people feed their tegus raw scraps set aside from their own meals that would otherwise be tossed and mixed meats and innards, some feed prey they've raised themselves rather than buying from a supplier, and so forth. Sometimes doing one thing is like killing 2 birds with one stone. For example feeding whole prey means you don't have to give vitamins and in many cases calcium. Some people choose to do a bioactive substrate rather than buying other sorts of "bedding". It is possible to get that outside. There are many cheaper options (as well as more expensive ones). You get the point.
I also want you to keep something else in mind. This is not any more costly, especially the up keep, than it is for many other pets. The cost is also very high to do right by a good number of larger pets. Many dogs are expensive to buy, add to that all the shots, toys, dog dishes, leashes, collars, sometimes school, grooming supplies, outdoor enclosures or fences vet visits and them eating you house out of home. And so forth. Ferrets cost more than a Colombian tegu but less than an Argentine, and their cages cost hundreds. Ferret supplies are endless. Large parrots ... I won't even touch that with a ten foot pole. The difference is, you are a bit more prepared for setting up the more mainstream pets because cages and supplies are mass produced finished products, readily available (used or new), and prices are widely advertised, so the costs are up front at a glance. "Build it yourself" is not always cheapest. So bottom line is ... before you read this blog and think to yourself, "Oh hell to the no" when you see the cost, think again. Another large companion animal isn't always going to be less IF you do right by them.
Addendum: Fail! Do not use plywood for the flooring of the enclosure no matter what anyone tells you or how well you seal it. Please use FRP board. As time passes, water sits, mold can build under the mulch/bedding and that eventually takes a toll on whatever you sealed the wood with. No matter how clean you keep the enclosure or how many times you churn the mulch. Mold spores are a funny thing. Water can cause catastrophic damage. And there is no avoiding water on the floor because a Tegu absolutely has to have high humidity. Upwards of 80%.
Alas behold the possible carnage that can occur!