As mentioned, the Water Monitors have extensive needs compared to the other two options…
　
I own an adult Argentinean Tegu and a close friend of mine owns an adult Savannah Monitor. Both animals are well kept and offered regular attention… Since I have not personally owned a Sav I won’t elaborate to much on them, but my Tegu is MUCH more “dog tame” and knowing both animals, I’ve never once regretted choosing the Tegu over the Sav (he cannot say the same).
　
In the summer months my Tegu lives on a 6’ x 10’ deck/balcony:
　
　
He’s just shy of 2 years old @ 42” and close to 6 lbs… I expect him to get every bit of 4’…
　
He’s handled most days and has been handled at least several times per week since I got him. He’s never once bit me nor anyone else. He’s attended “Reptile Days” At two different colleges and has attended one Reptile show.
　
In the summer months I can take him outside to free roam in the grass and he does fine. When little kids are running around he gets a bit skittish, but as long as the environment is calm he stays very relaxed. My buddies Savannah has only been outside a couple and he went crazy trying to get away.
　
The first couple of times he met my parents dogs (Golden Retriever, Greyhound and Pomeranian) he was very leery, but as the dogs didn’t threaten him he quickly warmed up to them. Now he can free roam around them without problem or concern. The Pomeranian is skittish around the Tegu but the Tegu ignores the Pom.
　
My 6 year old niece loves to walk up to him while he’s free roaming and pick him up to impress her friends. While inside he’s absolutely fine with the kids. Outside he just avoids them or hides when they won’t leave him alone.
　
My Tegu eats mostly (about 60%) Ground Turkey, (30%) frozen/thawed hairless mice and (10%) SA/CA Cichlids… hey I’ve got to get rid of the ugly ones somehow
　
Despite typical suggestions, I feed my Tegu in his enclosure. I use the same white plate every time and every time I step into eyeshot of the Tegu with something white in my hand I am warmly greeted. But I can place the plate in front of the Tegu with food on it and leave my hand on the plate while he eats without fear. (My buddies Sav has to be fed with long tongs).
　
I completely admit my Tegu is spoiled flippin rotten and I’m sure that contributes to it’s gentle puppy like nature… but it has taken absolutely no ‘work’, just a little time to get him this way.
　
　
　
The Columbian Tegus have a much different nature. I wouldn’t expect any amount of work to get one nearly as tame as mine.
　
Whatever you choose to get, I strongly suggest getting from a respectable and reliable source. I got mine from Bobby Hill (TeguTalk.com)and I would highly recommend him as a source for Tegus. He sells Argentinean Black and Whites, Red Tegus and Chocoan ‘Giant’ Tegus. (just like the Arg B&W but reach 5’ and are much more robust).
　
The Blue Tegus are real. If you visit the forum attached to the above site (TeguTalk.com) there is a guy there named Dave who sells them. He’s easy to find on the forums (it’s a small community). They stay smaller and are a bit more frail. The only collection (from wild) of them was a single group (most likely siblings) of 6 or 8 and they have been inbred for a few generations since then. So they show typical signs of inbreeding depression. I love blue animals (I breed Blue Dempseys) but I am not interested in a Blue Tegu due to their condition.
　
If you have space to house one… and can confidently make the long term commitment of having a large animal that will live for 15+ years… I would recommend a Tegu to anyone who is interested in a large lizard…
And did I mention how freakin adorable they are when they are babies?
　
I own an adult Argentinean Tegu and a close friend of mine owns an adult Savannah Monitor. Both animals are well kept and offered regular attention… Since I have not personally owned a Sav I won’t elaborate to much on them, but my Tegu is MUCH more “dog tame” and knowing both animals, I’ve never once regretted choosing the Tegu over the Sav (he cannot say the same).
　
In the summer months my Tegu lives on a 6’ x 10’ deck/balcony:
　
　
He’s just shy of 2 years old @ 42” and close to 6 lbs… I expect him to get every bit of 4’…
　
He’s handled most days and has been handled at least several times per week since I got him. He’s never once bit me nor anyone else. He’s attended “Reptile Days” At two different colleges and has attended one Reptile show.
　
In the summer months I can take him outside to free roam in the grass and he does fine. When little kids are running around he gets a bit skittish, but as long as the environment is calm he stays very relaxed. My buddies Savannah has only been outside a couple and he went crazy trying to get away.
　
The first couple of times he met my parents dogs (Golden Retriever, Greyhound and Pomeranian) he was very leery, but as the dogs didn’t threaten him he quickly warmed up to them. Now he can free roam around them without problem or concern. The Pomeranian is skittish around the Tegu but the Tegu ignores the Pom.
　
My 6 year old niece loves to walk up to him while he’s free roaming and pick him up to impress her friends. While inside he’s absolutely fine with the kids. Outside he just avoids them or hides when they won’t leave him alone.
　
My Tegu eats mostly (about 60%) Ground Turkey, (30%) frozen/thawed hairless mice and (10%) SA/CA Cichlids… hey I’ve got to get rid of the ugly ones somehow
　
Despite typical suggestions, I feed my Tegu in his enclosure. I use the same white plate every time and every time I step into eyeshot of the Tegu with something white in my hand I am warmly greeted. But I can place the plate in front of the Tegu with food on it and leave my hand on the plate while he eats without fear. (My buddies Sav has to be fed with long tongs).
　
I completely admit my Tegu is spoiled flippin rotten and I’m sure that contributes to it’s gentle puppy like nature… but it has taken absolutely no ‘work’, just a little time to get him this way.
　
　
　
The Columbian Tegus have a much different nature. I wouldn’t expect any amount of work to get one nearly as tame as mine.
　
Whatever you choose to get, I strongly suggest getting from a respectable and reliable source. I got mine from Bobby Hill (TeguTalk.com)and I would highly recommend him as a source for Tegus. He sells Argentinean Black and Whites, Red Tegus and Chocoan ‘Giant’ Tegus. (just like the Arg B&W but reach 5’ and are much more robust).
　
The Blue Tegus are real. If you visit the forum attached to the above site (TeguTalk.com) there is a guy there named Dave who sells them. He’s easy to find on the forums (it’s a small community). They stay smaller and are a bit more frail. The only collection (from wild) of them was a single group (most likely siblings) of 6 or 8 and they have been inbred for a few generations since then. So they show typical signs of inbreeding depression. I love blue animals (I breed Blue Dempseys) but I am not interested in a Blue Tegu due to their condition.
　
If you have space to house one… and can confidently make the long term commitment of having a large animal that will live for 15+ years… I would recommend a Tegu to anyone who is interested in a large lizard…
And did I mention how freakin adorable they are when they are babies?
