🦎 General Info

Blue Tegus (Salvator merianae “Blue” morph) are a selectively bred color variation of the Argentine Black and White Tegu. They originate from the same regions—Argentina, Paraguay, and surrounding South American areas—but are distinguished by their cooler-toned coloration, featuring gray, silver, blue, and slate patterns. Mature males often display the strongest blue tones.

Blue tegus are intelligent, highly food-motivated, and can become extremely tame with consistent care. Adults typically reach 3–4 feet, making them slightly smaller on average than standard black and white tegus.

They are strong, powerful diggers that require large enclosures, moderate humidity, and an omnivorous diet. With proper care, blue tegus can live 15–20+ years in captivity.

Enclosure

  • Size

    • Juveniles: 40–75 gallon

    • Subadults: 4 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft

    • Adults (minimum): 6 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft

  • Ideal adult enclosure: 8 ft x 4 ft x 4 ft or larger

    • More room always improves temperament, enrichment, and long-term health.

  • Material

    • PVC enclosures (best for humidity retention)

    • HDPE/custom wooden builds

    • Must have secure, strong doors—tegus push hard and test boundaries

  • Substrate

    • Blue tegus are serious burrowers.

    • Best options include:

    • Cypress mulch

    • Coconut husk

    • Reptichip

    • Organic soil/sand mix

    • Bioactive substrates (excellent for adults)

    • Depth: 6–12 inches for natural digging.

  • Décor

    • Hides on both cool and warm sides

    • Thick logs or solid branches

    • Flat basking stones

    • Burrows/tunnels

    • Live or artificial plants

    • Plenty of open floor space for roaming

Temperature & Lighting

  • Basking Spot: 115–125°F

  • Ambient Temperature: 80–90°F

  • Cool Side: 75–80°F

  • Night Temperature: 70–75°F Never allow temps below 70°F.

  • Lighting

    • High-quality UVB is essential.

    • Use T5 HO 10–12% UVB

    • Replace bulbs every 6–12 months

    • Day/Night Cycle: 12–14 hours

Humidity & Water

  • Humidity: 60–80%

  • Maintaining Humidity:

    • Deep, moist substrate

    • Daily misting

    • Large water tub

    • Partial enclosure coverage

  • Water

    • A large dish big enough for soaking

    • Fresh, clean water daily especially because Tegus frequently soak and often defecate in water—clean frequently.

Diet

  • Type: Omnivores, with diets shifting as they mature.

  • Juveniles:

    • Insect-heavy with small amounts of fruit

  • Adults: A balanced mix of: Protein: 50–60% Fruits: 10–20% Vegetables: 10–20%

  • Protein Options

    • Dubia roaches

    • Crickets

    • Earthworms

    • Superworms/mealworms (moderate)

    • Eggs

    • Lean meats

    • Fish (avoid high-thiaminase species)

    • Small rodents (sparingly to prevent obesity)

  • Fruits

    • Berries

    • Mango

    • Banana

    • Papaya

    • Figs

    • Melon

  • Vegetables

    • Squash

    • Collard/mustard/turnip greens

    • Carrots

    • Green beans

  • Supplements

    • Calcium: 3–4x per week

    • Multivitamin: 1–2x per week

Behavior & Handling

  • Temperament: Blue tegus are typically pretty calm as they age, they are highly intelligent, curious and heavily food motivated. They often will bond with their keepers.

  • Handling

    • Begin with slow, predictable interactions

    • Target training works well

    • Support their weight fully—they are very muscular

    • Allow free-roam time in safe areas

    • Well-socialized blue tegus often seek attention and enjoy exploring with their keeper present.

  • Enrichment

    • Deep dig boxes

    • Outdoor sunning time (secure enclosure)

    • Scent-based enrichment

    • Puzzle feeders

    • Rotating décor and hides

Health & Lifespan

  • Lifespan: 15–20+ years

  • Common Health Issues

    • Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) - from improper UVB/calcium

    • Obesity - from overfeeding rodents

    • Respiratory infections - low temps or overly wet environment

    • Shedding problems - low humidity

    • Parasites - external and internal

  • Signs of Illness

    • Low energy

    • Refusal to eat

    • Clicking or wheezing

    • Stuck shed (especially toes and tail)

    • Swelling or abnormal gait

    • Weight loss or abnormal weight gain

  • Veterinary Care: Professional veterinary care should always be consulted when you think your pet may have an issue. Watch for signs of illness, catching an issue early on goes a long way.

Final Thoughts:

Blue tegus are highly intelligent, personable reptiles capable of forming strong bonds with their keepers. With proper heat, humidity, UVB, diet, and space, they become calm, trainable, and rewarding long-term companions. Their striking blue coloration, hardy nature, and interactive personality make them one of the most popular tegu morphs in captivity.