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Argentine black and white tegu

The Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae, is a large South American lizard from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, boldly marked in black and white and heavily built.

Adults reach 1.2 to 1.4 metres and can exceed four kilograms. They are among the most intelligent reptiles kept, are frequently described as dog-like in their responsiveness, and a well-socialised tegu will seek out its keeper. They are also one of very few lizards known to be partially warm-blooded, raising their body temperature above ambient during the breeding season, and they brumate for several months each year, which surprises new owners badly.

Origin
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
Adult size
1.2–1.4 m; up to 4–7 kg
Lifespan
15–20 years
Basking temperature
43–49°C surface, ambient 27–30°C
Brumation
Several months of dormancy each year — normal
Diet
Omnivore — insects, whole prey, eggs, fruit and vegetables

Related: Black rat snake

3 argentine black and white tegu photos, newest first

  • Diego, a argentine black and white tegu

    Diego

    Diego walks the length of the stream every afternoon, entirely for the look of the thing.

    FrostyOtter · 6 days ago

  • Apricot V, a argentine black and white tegu

    Apricot V

    Apricot V digs. Today she has turned up the spoon somebody lost and every one of those balls, and she is not finished.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Apricot V, a argentine black and white tegu

    Apricot V

    The face Apricot V makes when the walk ends.

    GentleFinch · 2 weeks ago

Living with a argentine black and white tegu

Build for an adult. A grown tegu needs at least 2.4 × 1.2 metres of floor with deep substrate to dig in — this is a custom enclosure, and no commercially sold vivarium is adequate.

A very hot basking surface of 43–49°C over a cooler ambient, and strong UVB across it.

Brumation is normal. A healthy tegu will go off food and stay underground for weeks or months in the cooler part of the year; the mistake is force-feeding or heating it out of the cycle.

Handle regularly from young. Socialised tegus are famously good-tempered; unsocialised ones bite hard and have a powerful tail.

Tegus are invasive and established in Florida and Georgia after escapes and releases. Never release one, and check state law before acquiring one.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual reptiles vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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