The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae, formerly Tupinambis merianae; Harvey et al. 2012) was introduced to Florida through the pet trade and has established breeding populations in Hillsborough County (central Florida) and Miami-Dade County (south Florida).[1]
Are Tegu In Florida?
Tegus have been reported in 35 Florida counties, including nearly every part of the greater Tampa Bay region. Their presence, measured mostly by the number of tegus trapped and removed, is now established in several North Florida counties and as far north as Georgia.Dec 8, 2021[2]
Where Are Tegu Lizards Now?
According to the Smithsonian, these are the states where the tegu lizards have been spotted: Florida. Georgia. South Carolina.Apr 21, 2022[3]
What Is The Biggest Lizard In Florida?
They can grow to be as big as a dog, and they’ll eat just about anything. The Argentine tegu has gone from exotic pet to pest in just a matter of years.Mar 3, 2021[4]
How Long Do Tegus Get
On average, tegus will live up to 12 years and grow an astounding 3-5 feet in length! The tegu has become a household favorite in reptile community for their docile and gentle nature, and for their strong connection to their owners.Nov 22, 2018[5]
How Big Do Tegus Get?
Argentine black and white tegus are large lizards that can reach nearly five feet in length. They have a mottled black and white coloration that often is arranged into a banding pattern across the back and tail. Hatchlings display similar markings, but typically have bright green heads.[6]
How Big Do Tegus Get In Captivity?
Their life span in captivity seems to be 15 to 20 years They grow up to about 5 feet in total length and can weigh as much as 35 pounds.[7]
How Long Do Argentine Tegus Live?
The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae), largest of all tegu species, is native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Black to dark gray with white speckled bands across the back and tail, these reptiles can weigh 10 pounds or more and live 20 years.[8]
How Long Do Female Tegus Get?
Differentiating between female and male Argentine Black and White Tegu is very easy. Females will be shorter than males (growing up to 3 feet) and males are typically 4.5 feet (1.5 feet longer): Male lizards can grow up to 4.5 feet long and weigh 20 pounds. Females will be 3 feet and weigh about 15 pounds.[9]
What Can Be Done So Tegus Dont Spread
Fighting the tegu spread, protecting Florida’s wildlife, natural areas …blogs.ifas.ufl.edu › news › 2021/11/02 › fighting-the-tegu-spread-protectin…[10]
How Can We Get Rid Of The Tegus Population?
In Toombs and Tattnall counties, keep pet food inside, fill holes that might serve as shelter and clear yards of debris such as brush piles that can provide cover for tegus. Be a responsible pet owner. Do your research before buying an exotic pet, and don’t let it loose.[11]
How Did The Tegu Spread?
The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae, formerly Tupinambis merianae; Harvey et al. 2012) was introduced to Florida through the pet trade and has established breeding populations in Hillsborough County (central Florida) and Miami-Dade County (south Florida).[12]
Can Tegus Be Handled?
The best way to tame a tegu is to get it as a hatchling. Argentine tegu hatchlings are only 7-10” (17-25 cm) long, and Colombian tegu hatchlings are even smaller. They’re easier to handle at this size, and are more likely to run rather than bite or tail whip.[13]
How Do You Make A Tegu Friendly?
They should be eating vegetation and fruit too. Left-over food should be removed after every meal. Your Tegu’s tank should always have a dish of fresh and clean water. In addition to having a water dish, you may also want to provide a larger water container so your Tegu can soak in it.[14]
What Are People Trying To Do To Get Rid Of Tegus
DNR has worked with partners including the U.S. Geological Society and Georgia Southern University to trap tegus in Toombs and Tattnall counties, removing animals and researching the population. In 2022, DNR will lead the trapping effort.[15]
What Is Being Done To Stop Tegus?
Never release exotic animals such as tegus. Surrender unwanted pet tegus to the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program. Report observations of tegus to FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline (888-Ive-Got1).[16]
How Did Tegus Become Invasive?
The Argentine black and white tegu is a large lizard from South America currently inhabiting the Florida counties of Charlotte, Hillsborough, Miami Dade and St. Lucie. Tegus are introduced to the U.S. through the pet trade and then likely released from captivity into the environment.[17]
What Eats A Tegu Lizard?
Main predators of tegus are: pumas, snakes and birds of prey. Tegus are terrestrial animals (spend majority of their life on the ground), but they are excellent swimmers.[18]
How Do Tegu Affect Humans?
Tegus do not pose a threat to humans. They’re not venomous, they don’t run fast, but they’re armed with strong jaws and tails they can wield as thumping weapons.[19]
What Do Tegus Like To Eat
Generally speaking, tegus are omnivorous and can eat a wide variety of foods. In the wild, black and white tegus commonly eat insects, fruits, seeds, and the eggs of other animals. Since they can grow to be very large (up to five feet long), some wild Argentine tegus have even been known to eat small birds!Feb 18, 2020[20]
What Is A Tegu Favorite Food?
Whole Prey
Captive-raised insects. Crayfish. Chickens (baby) Crickets – Flukers Freeze-Dried Grasshoppers.[21]
What Fruits And Vegetables Can Tegus Eat?
Fruits & VegetablesAlfalfa.Bell pepper.Cactus pads.Carnation flowers.Carrot (root and greens)Cilantro.Dandelion (flowers and greens)Greens: collard, kale, mustard, turnip.[22]
Do Tegus Like Bananas?
Sweet fruits, such as grapes, bananas and cantaloupe, are another staple food. Occasionally my tegus even eat bread. Baby tegus eat insects, pinky rodents and ground meat (but be sure to add calcium). Occasionally I give them a boiled egg or canned cat food.Dec 1, 2011[23]
Can Tegus Eat Carrots?
Other good vegetables include asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrot, green beans, snap peas, tomato, yellow squash and cucumber. Check out the nutritional analysis of vegetables. Fruit: Most of the vegetative matter that tegu’s consume in the wild is fruit.[24]
Where Did The Tegus Come From
Tegu is a common name of a number of species of lizards that belong to the families Teiidae and Gymnophthalmidae. Tegus are native to Central and South America. They occupy a variety of habitats and are known for their large size and predatory habits.[25]
Where Did The Tegu Originate?
Native Range
The Argentine black and white tegu is native to South America where it can be found in Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Uruguay and northern Argentina.[26]
How Did Tegus Get Here?
The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae, formerly Tupinambis merianae; Harvey et al. 2012) was introduced to Florida through the pet trade and has established breeding populations in Hillsborough County (central Florida) and Miami-Dade County (south Florida).[27]
Where Did The Tegu Invade?
A new paper co-authored by the University of Florida and partner agencies details the invasion of Argentine black and white tegu lizards in the state of Florida over the past decade. It looks at signs of the population’s increase, wildlife impacts, and efforts to reduce the threat.[28]
What Is The Native Habitat Of The Tegu?
Tegus occur in a wide variety of habitats, including the Amazon Rainforest, savannas, and deciduous semiarid thorn forests. Even though these are large, conspicuous lizards, two new species, T.[29]
How Arboreal Are Tegus
arboreal lizards – Tegu Talkwww.tegutalk.com › Off-Topic Discussions › Other Pets › Lizard Discussion[30]
Resources
[1]https://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/factsheets/tegufactsheet.pdf
[2]https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2021-12-08/florida-tegu-lizards-migrating-north-what-invasion-means-for-state-wildlife
[3]https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/04/21/florida-traps-over-100-invasive-tegu-lizards/7393744001/
[4]https://www.wftv.com/news/local/9-facts-about-tegus-giant-invasive-lizards-florida/D52JQH4KVJBNPNYLMA36TO4BH4/
[5]https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/gentle-giants-basic-tegu-care
[6]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[7]https://reptilesmagazine.com/tegu-lizard-housing-and-care-information/
[8]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[9]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[10]https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2021/11/02/fighting-the-tegu-spread-protecting-floridas-wildlife-natural-areas-through-sustained-multiagency-efforts/
[11]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus%23:~:text%3DIn%2520Toombs%2520and%2520Tattnall%2520counties%252C%2520keep%2520pet%2520food%2520inside%252C%2520fill,don’t%2520let%2520it%2520loose.
[12]https://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/factsheets/tegufactsheet.pdf
[13]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/handling-tips/%23:~:text%3DThe%2520best%2520way%2520to%2520tame,than%2520bite%2520or%2520tail%2520whip.
[14]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/%23:~:text%3DThey%2520should%2520be%2520eating%2520vegetation,Tegu%2520can%2520soak%2520in%2520it.
[15]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[16]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/%23:~:text%3DNever%2520release%2520exotic%2520animals%2520such,888%252DIve%252DGot1).
[17]https://www.usgs.gov/news/state-news-release/new-research-verifies-invasive-tegu-lizards-adaptable-various-climates%23:~:text%3DThe%2520Argentine%2520black%2520and%2520white,from%2520captivity%2520into%2520the%2520environment.
[18]https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/tegu_facts/281/%23:~:text%3DMain%2520predators%2520of%2520tegus%2520are,but%2520they%2520are%2520excellent%2520swimmers.
[19]https://www.buckmasters.com/Resources/YBO/Critter-Tales/ID/6379/See-tegu-fear-tegu-call-DNR%23:~:text%3DTegus%2520do%2520not%2520pose%2520a,can%2520wield%2520as%2520thumping%2520weapons.
[20]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/beginners-guide-to-tegu-feeding-and-care
[21]https://reptileslounge.com/blogs/blog/a-list-of-best-foods-for-tegus
[22]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-food/
[23]https://reptilesmagazine.com/housing-and-feeding-tegus/
[24]https://www.completecritter.com/tegu.html
[25]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegu
[26]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[27]https://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/factsheets/tegufactsheet.pdf
[28]https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2021-12-08/florida-tegu-lizards-migrating-north-what-invasion-means-for-state-wildlife
[29]https://www.britannica.com/animal/tegu
[30]https://www.tegutalk.com/threads/arboreal-lizards.18203/