How do I go about hibernating my Tegu?
Generally speaking a tegu will hibernate for around five to six months of the year. This will take place from around the beginning of November until the beginning of April. Each tegu is different and may go into hibernation at different times, just keep an eye on how much they are eating. When they start eating less you will know it is time to prepare your tegu for their hibernation. In order to prepare your tegu for hibernation you will have to gradually lower the temperature in the tank to around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and stop feeding your tegu for two weeks (14 days) so that it will clear itself of any left over food.
Your tegu will spend its hibernation in a hide box, and you will need to keep the lights off and mist the substrate once or twice a month. After the hibernation period is done, provide a fresh bowl of water right away, but do not offer food for a few days (so that your tegu has time to bring its temperature back up to normal levels). You will need to start adjusting your light cycle back to a normal 12 hours on and 12 hours off and voila, you've hibernated your tegu!
Photograph: Hibernating Gold and Black Tegu
Your tegu will spend its hibernation in a hide box, and you will need to keep the lights off and mist the substrate once or twice a month. After the hibernation period is done, provide a fresh bowl of water right away, but do not offer food for a few days (so that your tegu has time to bring its temperature back up to normal levels). You will need to start adjusting your light cycle back to a normal 12 hours on and 12 hours off and voila, you've hibernated your tegu!
Photograph: Hibernating Gold and Black Tegu