Argentine Black & White Tegu
Salvator merianae
A large, highly intelligent lizard from South America that can grow up to 4–5 feet long. Unlike most reptiles, tegus are known to be somewhat social and can even be tamed as pets.
At A Glance
Weight: Males: 10+ pounds; Females: 5 to 10 pounds
Size: Males: Up to 4 feet long; Females: Up to 3 feet long
Lifespan: Human Care: 15-20 years; Wild: 10-12 years
Location: South America (forest/shrubland)
Fun Facts
- Go into brumation in colder months (a type of hibernation for reptiles).
- Good swimmers using their tail as a rudder as well as in defense.
- One of the few partially warm-blooded lizards; it can reach a temperature up to 10 degrees higher than the ambient temperature at night time. However – unlike true endotherms – these lizards only display temperature control during their breeding season.
IUCN Status
IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They collectively work to determine what animals are endangered, at risk, or stable. Learn More about IUCN here.
IUCN Red Status: Least Concern
IUCN Green Status: Not Evaluated
