A tegu can drop a section of its tail as a distraction if attacked. The inclusion of fruit in the diet is recommended. If your tegu is drooling or has swelling around its nasal passages and mouth, it may have a respiratory infection. These symptoms are all red flags but are treatable if caught early. Adult females can reach a weight of 2.5–7.0 kg (5.5–15.4 lb). This is definitely a pet you want to acquire from a reputable breeder. The blue tegu is a variant known for its light blue coloration, which is most intense in the adult males. Adult males are much larger than the females and can reach 3 ft (92 cm) in length at maturity. Hatchlings are generally not longer than eight inches. Female Argentine Tegus usually reach around 2.5-3 feet. [19], As adults, they have blunted teeth and exaggerated lateral pterygoidal muscles which allow them to be generalist feeders. Like all lizards, blue tegus need a properly balanced diet; incomplete prey items such as insects or ground meat require dusting with a mineral/multi-vitamin supplement. There are two lines of yellow dots running down its back from its neck to the beginning of its tail. Unlike other lizards these are very heavily built animals ranging from 7 to 12 pounds or more when fully grown. If they are not allowed exposure to UVB on a daily basis, they can experience severe pain and/or deformities from diseases such as Metabolic Bone Disease. As your tegu gets older, it can be fed pinkie mice and eventually adult mice, pre-killed or frozen-thawed. The tail is also used as a weapon to swipe at an aggressor; even a half-heart… With the right care and proper environment, the Colombian tegu can be a rewarding pet reptile. Like most lizards, fresh water should be provided daily. [27][28] The first sighting of S. merianae in Berkeley County, South Carolina, was on September 10, 2020. This means that one side of the cage must be cooler, while the other is much warmer and provides a basking spot. If your pet stops eating, seems lethargic, or shows any swelling or dry skin, consult a veterinarian who specializes in lizards. A good UVA and UVB bulb is imperative to keeping a tegu in good health. [6], The skull is heavily built with a large facial process of the maxilla, a single premaxilla, paired nasals, a single frontal bone, and a single parietal bone. The emerald green becomes black several months after shedding. As a rule, males are stockier than females and develop prominent jowl muscles giving them a “cheeky” appearance. Fewer solid bands indicates an older animal. S. merianae is called the "Argentine black and white tegu" to distinguish it from the "Colombian black and white tegu", which is another name for the gold tegu. Argentine tegus like to burrow, so they need a substrate that is not only absorbent and easy to clean but also allows their natural digging behavior. The most serious ailment that affects Argentine black and white tegus is a metabolic bone disease. As a young tegu, the tail is banded yellow and black; as it ages, the solid yellow bands nearest to the body change to areas of weak speckling. Argentine tegus, which can reach lengths of up to 4 feet when fully grown, are not native to Georgia. For adult Argentine tegus, plan on at least a 6-foot by 3-foot by 2-foot enclosure. The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae), also commonly called the Argentine giant tegu, the black and white tegu, the huge tegu, and lagarto overo in Spanish[1] is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae. This is so they can regulate their body temperature by going to whatever temperature works for them at the moment. Cite error: A list-defined reference named "Saadoun-Cabrera-2008-table-10" is not used in the content (see the help page). After mating females start building nests in which they lay up to 30 eggs. Ambient temps on the cooler side should be around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23C) and the warmer side should be about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32C). Tegus are omnivorous. These hardy lizards can become tame pets if handled correctly. Juvenile Argentine tegus can be fed a diet largely composed of gut-loaded crickets dusted with a calcium/vitamin supplement, along with some other feeder insects for variety, such as readily available mealworms and waxworms. See more ideas about Tegu lizard, Tegu, Bearded dragon. The black-and-white tegu has now been spotted in South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, and as far away as Texas. As pets, tegus can be one of the most rew… Female tegus are slightly smaller than their male counterparts, but both sexes have a fairly distinctive pattern of white and black dots and stripes all over their bodies. [17] They also eat fruits and seeds. For a pair, you need to double that size. Argentine tegu. Like other reptiles, tegus go into brumation in autumn when the temperature drops. Tegus can live to be 12-20 years old in captivity. Males up to 4-1/2 feet in length. Blue Tegus. They also need a source of heat. If a baby tegu misses the first year of hibernation, they can reach three feet in one year. An Argentine tegu will need an eclosure that is at least 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. Life Expectancy: Up to 15 years in captivity It is also known as the Argentine giant tegu. As a rule, male Argentine tegu for sale are stockier than female Argentine red tegu for sale and develop prominent jowl muscles giving them a “cheeky” or bigger jaw … Tegus fill ecological niches similar to those of monitor lizards, and are an example of convergent evolution. If its eyes are cloudy or it seems lethargic, these may be signs of a sick lizard. The Argentine black and white tegu is one of the largest lizards that people keep as pets. An average male is about 4 to 4½ feet long and 8- to 12-plus pounds. Adult Argentine black and white tegus also can have a variety of fruits and vegetables added to their diets. Argentine tegu: 8’ x 4’ x 4’ Colombian tegu: 6′ x 3′ x 3′ The enclosure should be front opening, as this benefits both your back and the tegu’s wellbeing. Never allow water level to be above shoulder height for a tegu, as many tegus commonly drown when left without supervision. Some believe it is a mutation of the Argentine black and white tegu, while others, including the original importer,[11] believe it is sufficiently different to have its own classification. All equipment, feeds, decor, housing, advice available. The tail is also used as a weapon to swipe at an aggressor; even a half-hearted swipe can leave a bruise. Most owners use Cyprus Mulch mixed with Coconut Fiber, as it retains humidity extremely well, and is commercially available. The first blue tegu to be exported from South America was in a wholesale shipment of tegus from Colombia.[11]. The specific name, merianae, is in honor of German-born naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian.[5]. Tegus are capable of running at high speeds and can run bipedally for short distances. Adult Size: Up to 4 feet. Like other tegus you should make sure your tegu has enough water to soak in if they wish. It's painful for the animal and can lead to weakened bones. The argentine tegu is a huge lizard that’s actually relatively easy to care for compared to the others on this list. They exhibit a high level of activity during their wakeful period of the year. Not to be confused with the Argentine black and white tegu, the Colombian tegu is often found in homes of herp lovers across the country.These larger lizards don't make good pets for everyone though so make sure you read up on their care before deciding to get one. However, beginning in 1845 and continuing for 154 years, it was confused with Tupinambis teguixin, and was considered a synonym of that species. They need UVB to produce Vitamin D in their bodies, as well as metabolizing calcium. See more ideas about tegu, tegu lizard, reptiles. Feb 17, 2020 - Explore Tiffany (Tiff)'s board "tegu lizard", followed by 101 people on Pinterest. Argentine Tegu Invasive Lizards Spreading Over Southeastern US, Biologists Express Concern The Argentinian Tegu lizards can grow up the size of a dog and are voracious eaters. But use caution if the mice you are feeding have fur as it may cause intestinal impaction (meaning the tegu can't digest the fur). Wildlife officials are warning that tegu – a South American lizard that can grow up to the size of a dog – continue to spread across the Southeast. Common Name: Argentine black & white tegu (also applies to: Argentine red tegus & blue tegus) Scientific Name: Salvator merianae (red: Salvator rufescens) Origin: Argentina, South America Size: 3' - … They only lay between 18 and 25 eggs in a 'clutch', sometimes more dependent upon animal size and husbandry as well as individual health of the gravid female. Canned dog food and eggs can be offered as a very occasional supplement, but be advised that too much protein will cause kidney failure. Tegus will perform a threat display if they are upset or stressed. The giant black and white tegus of South America are among the most intelligent and highly adapted of all living lizards. Misting the enclosure with water will also aid in keeping the environment the way your tegu likes it. The Argentine Black and White Tegu for sale, has beaded looking skin and a … As the name would suggest, this tegu is native to Argentina, but also Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This hatchling tegu is in his “trailer” preparing for his photo shoot. The incubation period usually lasts around 40 to 60 days. Cite error: A list-defined reference named "Saadoun-Cabrera-2008" is not used in the content (see the help page). Tegus are sometimes kept as pets. Hardiness: Hardy. Argentine Black a… Argentine Black & White Tegu. Size is relative to genetics as well as husbandry and diet. Argentine black and white tegus enjoy soaking when they aren't burrowing so be sure to provide a large shallow water dish that will fit your pet's entire body. They typically inhabit forest-edge savannahs and adjacent rain forests of Argentina and parts of Brazil and Uruguay. The most common questions we at Tegu Topia get are: "How do I build an enclosure large enough for my Tegu?” And "What size enclosure will I need?” Unless you’re a cabinetmaker or you have the extra money to hire a cabinetmaker to build you a show piece, you’ll need to build your own enclosure. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to trouble shedding skin, lethargy and weight loss; a calcium deficiency can lead to metabolic bone disease, which can be fatal.[20]. As a hatchling, Salvator merianae has an emerald green color from the tip of its snout to midway down its neck, with black markings. Tegu Size. But when you're deciding on one, there are a few things to watch out for. Provide fresh water frequently, especially if your tegu defecates in its water. Common Names: Argentine black and white tegu, black and white tegu. They also need the surface of their basking spot to meet specific temperature requirements. Tegu Life Span. [12], Salvator merianae has recently been shown to be one of the few partially warm-blooded lizards, having a temperature up to 10 °C (18 °F) higher than the ambient temperature at night time. They are largely terrestrial, and spend copious amounts of time in deep burrows which afford protection from dehydration and extreme temperatures. Argentine Black and White Tegus start out small, but quite rapidly grow large: females usually reach around 3 feet, and males up to 4-1/2 feet in length. Jan 8, 2018 - Explore Tommy's board "Tegu" on Pinterest. Argentine tegu hatchlings are only 7-10” (17-25 cm) long, and Colombian tegu hatchlings are even smaller. As per recent reports, they are growing in numbers in the South Eastern United States of South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. I would tend to agree with this theory. It is strongly recommended that Argentine tegus hibernate if the are intended to breed. [citation needed] Further interference causes the animal to start lashing its tail, somewhat like a moving snake. Be sure to feed your Argentine tegu their mice with a bowl or tongs to prevent accidentally getting bitten by your hungry lizard. Juvenile tegus can be kept in a large glass aquarium with a locking lid, but adults will need a larger specialty terrarium or a custom-built cage. [13] However, unlike true endotherms such as mammals and birds, these lizards only display temperature control during their reproductive season (September to December), so are said to possess seasonal reproductive endothermy. They are notable for their unusually high intelligence and can also be house-broken. Argentine tegus are large, strong, intelligent lizards that can grow upward of 5 feet long and weigh more than 20 pounds. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. They often use this method in territorial defense, with the mouth open and front legs held wide to look more threatening. Breeders generally inform the buyer on the sex of the animal before the purchase. A tegu can drop a section of its tail as a distractionif attacked. Tegus do not produce venom. A log or box for hiding should be provided and should be kept slightly damp with wet sphagnum moss, to aid with shedding and as a source of humidity for the animal's environment. They’re easier to handle at this size, and are more likely to run rather than bite or tail whip. Unlike other lizards, taller cages are not necessary for tegus as they do not stand on their hind legs or climb trees. [citation needed]. About six inches of substrate should be used to allow for burrowing, as well as a substrate that holds humidity well. Some tegus are also known to enjoy swimming and since they grow to about 1 meter long or more, a medium to large kitty litter box can be used as an appropriate sized water dish. Argentine Black & White Tegu • Common Group: MONITORS & TEGUS • Common Name: Argentine Black & White Tegu • Scientific Name: Tupinambis merianae • Distribution: Argentina, S. America • **Size: 3' - 4.5' Natural History The giant black and white tegus of South America are among the most intelligent and highly adapted of all living lizards. [18] However, there is evidence that, as in most husbandry of carnivores, it is good practice to cook most of the egg in the diet, so as to denature the protein avidin, that occurs in the albumen. An average female is around 3 to 3½ feet long and 6- to 8-plus pounds. Raw avidin immobilises biotin, so excessive feeding of raw eggs may cause fatal biotin deficiency. Despite their large size compared to other tegus, Argentine black and whites enjoy a reputation for being more docile than their smaller counterparts. A sick tegu may have dry patchy skin, swelling around its nasal passages, and unusual bumps in its limbs. Species of lizard which is the largest of the tegu lizards, drop a section of its tail as a distraction, http://www.uco.es/organiza/servicios/publica/az/php/img/web/17_12_32_15NotaRendimientoBasso.pdf, "The biomechanical role of the chondrocranium and sutures in a lizard cranium", "A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes", "Seasonal reproductive endothermy in tegu lizards", "Control of invasive tegus in Florida | The Croc Docs", "Tegus - Georgia Invasive Species Task Force", "Argentine Black and White Tegus | Department Of Natural Resources Division", "Invasive Tegu Lizards Are Eating Their Way Through Southeastern US", "First sighting of black and white tegu lizard confirmed in Midlands - South Carolina Department of Natural Resources", "Invasive tegu lizard spotted in Berkeley County, DNR monitoring", "Review of teiid morphology with a revised taxonomy and phylogeny of the Teiidae (Lepidosauria: Squamata)", "Hybridization and hybrid zone stability between two lizards explained by population genetics and niche quantification", "Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia (Reptilia: Squamata)", "This dog-size lizard is spreading through the southeastern U.S.", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Argentine_black_and_white_tegu&oldid=994824379, Taxa named by André Marie Constant Duméril, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2018, Articles to be expanded from October 2020, Taxonbars using multiple manual Wikidata items, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 17 December 2020, at 18:55. 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