Argentine Black and White Tegu vs Chinese Water Dragon
Side-by-side care comparison to help you choose.
| Argentine Black and White Tegu | Chinese Water Dragon | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Advanced | Intermediate |
| Adult size | 3-4 feet (up to 4.5 ft) | 24-36 inches |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 10-15 years |
| Min enclosure | 8x4x4 ft (custom built recommended; juveniles 75-120 gallons) | 75 gallon / 48x24x24 in |
| Basking temp | 100-110°F | 95-100°F |
| Humidity | 70-80% | 60-80% |
| UVB | Yes - T5 HO 10.0/12% UVB (Ferguson zone 4) | Yes - T5 HO 5.0 or 6% UVB (Ferguson zone 3-4) |
| Diet | Omnivorous: insects (crickets, roaches, superworms), pinky/fuzzy mice (once a week for adults), fruits (berries, mango), vegetables (squash, leafy greens). Juveniles daily, adults 3-4 times per week. | Juveniles: daily insects (crickets, roaches, mealworms) dusted with calcium; adults: every other day same insects plus some leafy greens. |