Description. The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) is a large lizard that grows up to 4 feet long. It is black and white with banding along its tail.[1]
What Order Do Tegus Belong To
Scaled reptiles[2]
What Family Is The Tegu Lizard In?
tegu, (genus Tupinambis), any of about seven large, carnivorous, tropical South American lizards of the family Teiidae. The background colour of most species is black.[3]
What Are Tegus Related To?
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.[4]
Is A Tegu A Reptile?
Salvator merianae (once known as Tupinambis merianae) aka the Argentine Black and White Tegu is a large reptile native to South America. There are significant populations of Argentine Black and White Tegus in the southern United States and the Brazilian coast.[5]
How Do People Interact With Tegus In The Wild
Argentine Black and White Tegus | Department Of Natural …georgiawildlife.com › tegus[6]
Can Tegus Bond With Humans?
These lizards are one of the most affectionate reptile-species in captivity. They establish a close bond with their owners, because of this, many Argentine Tegu owners compared owning one to owning a dog or cat, another reason why they’re so popular![7]
How Do You Bond With A Tegu?
First, place a recently-worn (preferably sweaty) shirt in his/her hide so that they come to associate your scent with security. After a couple weeks, accustom it to your presence. Ignoring your tegu is actually a great way to tame him/her.[8]
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.[9]
How Many Eggs Do Argentine Black And Wwhite Tegus Lay In A Year
They lay an average of 35 eggs per year. Females construct nests of dried vegetation, often at the base of trees, in clumps of tall grass or in burrows. Eggs incubate for approximately 60 days and require stable temperatures for successful hatching. After hatching, juvenile tegus grow quickly.[10]
How Fast Do Tegus Reproduce?
Brumation for wild tegus occurs between September-March, and breeding will begin a few weeks after waking up and will last about a month. Females build a nest and lay 12-30 eggs about 1-2 months after breeding. Eggs will hatch after a 120- 170 day incubation period. Young tegus will mature around 3 years of age.[11]
Can Tegus Reproduce Asexually?
This lizard does not need a sperm to fertilize her eggs. They also use asexual reproduction for eggs to be created. The population grows rapidly because all the adults are basically female.Dec 1, 2016[12]
What Time Of Year Do Tegus Hatch?
Females reach reproductive age at about 12 inches long or after their second season of brumation. They can lay about 35 eggs a year. Hatching in Georgia would be expected in June/July. Tegus are legal as pets in Georgia but it is illegal to release non-native animals into the wild.[13]
What Tegus Eat
Tegus eat fruits, vegetables, eggs, insects, dog or cat food, and small animals like lizards and rodents. In Florida, tegus have dug into alligator and turtle nests and eaten the eggs.[14]
What Is A Tegu Favorite Food?
Whole Prey
Captive-raised insects. Crayfish. Chickens (baby) Crickets – Flukers Freeze-Dried Grasshoppers.[15]
What Foods Can A Tegu 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[16]
Can Tegus Eat Lettuce?
Do not feed: Avocado, azalea flowers/leaves, broccoli, buttercup flowers, eggplant, lettuce of any kind, marijuana or hemp leaves, onion, rosemary, sage, or spinach. These foods can make your tegu sick or even die! Do not feed: Citrus, rhubarb, seeds, or pits. These can make your tegu sick or even die![17]
What Fruits And Vegetables Can Tegus Eat?
Staple greens are escarole, endive, alfalfa and dandelion greens. Vegetables: This is the part of a tegu’s diet that will bring in a diversity of nutrients and flavors. In the wild, tegus are known to occasionally eat flowers (Kiefer and Sazima 2002).[18]
What Kind Of Pet Do Tegus Make
Tegu lizards can be good pets, but they aren’t recommended for first-time or novice reptile owners. Due to their large size and high intelligence, they require a lot of space and enrichment to thrive in captivity.Feb 28, 2022[19]
Do Tegus Make Good Pets?
Tegus are incredibly intelligent and curious lizards that can be tamed and trained with regular handling and interaction. Argentine tegus are known to have ‘dog-like’ qualities in that they are very loyal and seek companionship. Always be gentle, calm and talk softly so you do not accidentally frighten your pet.Nov 22, 2018[20]
What Is The Best Tegu Pet?
Blue argentine tegus are a very popular pet choice as far as tegus go. Their smaller average size is one reason for this, but they’re also quite docile. In fact, some blue tegu lizards can even be kept in pairs— with the proper husbandry techniques!Feb 18, 2020[21]
Are Tegus Beginner Pets?
Answer: Even if you do not have experience taking care of a lizard, a Tegu is still a good animal to start out wtih. You do need to make sure you have adequate room for a cage, so some beginners will prefer a Leopard Gecko or Bearded Dragon since they are relatively small.Apr 27, 2022[22]
Do Tegus Recognize Their Owners?
Tegus are known as very intelligent animals. When kept in captivity, they are able to recognize their owners and form a close bond with them.[23]
When Will Tegu Terra Have Blue Tegus
Tegu Humidity, Lighting & Heating Requirements – ReptiFilesreptifiles.com › Colombian/Argentine Tegu Care[24]
What Makes A Blue Tegu?
The Blue Tegu is a stocky reptile that resembles a monitor. It has a blue-black mottled appearance, with a tapering snout that has a black spot on the end of it. It has long claws and finger-like appendages. The tail accounts for about one-third of its length.[25]
How Much Does A Blue Tegu Cost?
If you are looking for a unique Argentine Tegu, the Blue morph may be for you, but they cost a little bit more at $250 to $600.[26]
How Long Does Blue Tegu Get?
Blue Tegus
Aside from their blue color, what makes these reptiles so different from the black and white variety is their size, since they typically only grow to a maximum length of approximately three feet. Blue argentine tegus are a very popular pet choice as far as tegus go.[27]
Are Blue Tegus Argentine Tegus?
Size: ARGENTINE BLUE TEGUS are one of the smaller tegus, growing to about 1 meter in length. It is known for its light blue coloration, which is most intense in the adult males.[28]
How Often To Feed Tegus
Adults should be fed every 2-3 days depending on their body condition (obese tegus will eat less often than under weight tegus). The bulk of an adult tegu’s diet should consist of rodents, small rats, and the occasional baby chick. Insects, eggs, and fish should all be offered as well.[29]
How Much Do You Feed A Tegu?
How often should you feed your Tegu depends on the age.1Hatchlings (0-6 months) — 5x/week.2Juveniles (7-12 months) — 4x/week.3Subadults (1-2 years) — 3x/week.4Adults (>2 years) — 2x/week.[30]
Resources
[1]https://www.evergladescisma.org/the-dirty-dozen/tegu-lizards/
[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegu
[3]https://www.britannica.com/animal/tegu
[4]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegu
[5]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_black_and_white_tegu
[6]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[7]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[8]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/handling-tips/
[9]https://www.buckmasters.com/Resources/YBO/Critter-Tales/ID/6379/See-tegu-fear-tegu-call-DNR
[10]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[11]https://www.lvzoo.org/animals/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[12]http://creationwiki.org/Argentine_black_and_white_tegu
[13]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[14]https://www.evergladescisma.org/the-dirty-dozen/tegu-lizards/
[15]https://reptileslounge.com/blogs/blog/a-list-of-best-foods-for-tegus
[16]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/beginners-guide-to-tegu-feeding-and-care
[17]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-food/
[18]https://www.completecritter.com/tegu.html
[19]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/do-tegu-lizards-make-good-pets/
[20]https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/gentle-giants-basic-tegu-care
[21]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/beginners-guide-to-tegu-feeding-and-care
[22]https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/why-tegus-are-the-best-pet-lizards
[23]https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/tegu_facts/281/
[24]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-humidity-temperatures/
[25]https://petkeen.com/blue-tegu/
[26]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/tegu-lizards/
[27]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/beginners-guide-to-tegu-feeding-and-care
[28]https://thereptarium.com/pages/taz-argentine-blue-tegu
[29]http://www.exoticpetvet.com/tegu-care.html
[30]https://crazycrittersinc.com/feeding-a-variety-of-foods-to-animals-is-important/