Argentine Black and White Tegu

Salvator merianae

Stats

Length:

Females are 3ft and males are 4.5ft

height:

Weight:

Lifespan:

15-20 years

Sexual Maturity:

3 years or less

Breeding Season:

Spring

Gestation Period:

40-70 days

Eats

Black and White Tegu's diet consists of insects, spiders, snails, fruits, seeds, small mammals, birds, and even other reptiles eggs. Tegus are known to eat eggs in the wild and have been seen disrupting many different nesting sites to feed, even those belonging to Florida alligators

Lives

Argentine tegus can be found in East and Central South America living in tropical rain forests, savannas, and semi-deserts.

Behavior

Tegus spend lots of time in underground burrows to stay protected from predators, dehydration, and extreme temperatures. The Black and White Tegu is able to lose it's tail as a distraction from predators, but it is very rare for them to do so as they have very few predators. They can also use their tail as a whip if threatened.

Description

The Black and White Argentine Tegu is the largest tegu species, known for its striking black and white coloration and beautiful patterns of black bands across its body. Males have larger jowls, or "chubby cheeks," to attract mates. These reptiles have a forked tongue, which helps them detect scents from various directions, enhancing their awareness of their surroundings. Terrestrial creatures, tegus are excellent diggers, skilled at finding food and shelter!

Did you Know?

Black and White Argentine Tegus are a highly intelligent species, it is believed by some that they are the most intelligent reptiles. Oftentimes in nature, Tegus can anticipate their preys' moves, making them a fierce predator.