Tegus are very active opportunistic hunters, hunting their own prey as well as scavenging carrion where it is available. The yellow tegu is from brazil and has never been imported into the u. Salvator merianae, also known as the black and white tegu, or argentine black and white tegu, or argentine giant tegu is the largest species of tegus. We are the best and largest breeder of argentine blackwhite tegus,reds, chacoan giants,blues, and only breeder of majestic tegus in the usa. Argentine tegus are large reptiles, with some species reaching a total length of around four feet, and a weight of approximately fifteen pounds. For our purposes we will stick to the common pet species, the black and white tegu, also referred to as the giant tegu, and is native to south america. If you are thinking of buying a tegu or if you already own one, it is important to know the answer to what can i feed my tegu. Argentine black and white tegu for sale reptiles for sale. The argentine black and white tegu is a large lizard that accepts handling quite readily.
Argentine black and white tegu destructive invasive species. This tegu species is the largest of the tegu lizards, and males can grow up to 4. Read on to learn some facts about the argentine black and white tegu. The rest of the cage should be in the 80s during the day and at night the temperatures can drop safely into the low 70s. Argentine black and white tegus are sometimes simply called black and white tegus although this can lead to confusion as there is also a colombian tegu which is similar but smaller and less docile. Argentine tegu care sheet how to care for your new pet tegu. This tegu will also generally put on size very quickly.
The argentine black and white tegu, tupinambis merianae dumeril and bibron 1839, is 1 of 7 currently recognized tegu species. If you are purchasing a baby tegu for sale online, be sure to find a captive bred tegu for sale breeder not a baby tegu breeder offering wild caught pet tegus for sale. In florida, tegus can be seen on roadsides or other disturbed areas. Argentine tegu for sale black and white tegus for sale online. Most tegus become quite tame over time, and they display a number of unique behaviors that are fascinating to observe in person. The argentine black and white tegu is an omnivore that eats fruits, vegetables, eggs, insects, and small animals. Tegus are omnivorous, foraging for a wide range of foods and come from south america. Have you searched for rescue tegus or one for sale on the internet. One of the primary differences between argentine tegus and colombian tegus is what they eat. Tegu rescue and adoption tegu topia tegu rescues, tegu. It is native to south america, specifically to brazil, paraguay, uruguay, and argentina. May 31, 2017 argentine tegus are large reptiles, with some species reaching a total length of around four feet, and a weight of approximately fifteen pounds.
Adult males are much larger than the females and can reach 3 feet in length at maturity and continue to grow to lengths of 44. Juveniles and we can assume that colombian tegus are similar ate approximately 50% invertebrates, 20% vegetation, and 20% vertebrates small animals. Tupinambis merianae tupinambis rufescens native to. Argentine tegus tegu faqs tegu temperament tegu topia. A variety of insects, including gutloaded recently fed crickets, mealworms, waxworms, roaches and commercial monitor and tegu diet. The argentine black and white tegu is the largest species of tegu. Yellow spotted night lizard cuban rock iguana yellow monitor club tail iguana. It is however a good companion piece to monitors and tegus complete pet owners manual by r. Argentine black and white tegu is part of wikiproject amphibians and reptiles, an effort to make wikipedia a standardized, informative, comprehensive and easytouse resource for amphibians and reptiles. It doesnt have nearly enough information on tegus and a reader would be lead to the conclusion that tegus and monitor lizards are very similar. Argentine tegu care sheet how to care for your new pet. The answer is a balanced, varied diet of prey, meat, fruit, vegetables with appropriate supplements. There is a northern clade of tegus distinguished by a single loreal scale that occurs in northern south america and amazonia, and a southern clade distinguished by 2 loreal scales that occurs primarily south of amazonia. Tegu lizards are large reptiles commonly kept as pets.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Argentine tegus rarely bite, but more often will squirm about in your hands. I have owned iguanas, monitors, many other species of smaller lizards, and. The argentine black and white tegu was first introduced to the u. It is estimated that over 1 million tegu are killed every year. Argentine tegus are omnivorous, meaning that they eat both plants and animals. The tegu is a large part of the leather and meat trade throughout argentina, and their hides are exported to canada, the usa, mexico, japan, hong kong, and some countries throughout europe. Males are typically larger than females in length and girth. Argentine black and white tegus are active in the daytime, roaming their enclosures and digging in the substrate. Multiple species are found in the international pet trade. Before purchasing your new pet tegu, please explore the proper tegu care sheet and needs of caring for a baby tegu. I have owned iguanas, monitors, many other species of smaller lizards, and i currently own about 20 or 30 geckos.
The black and white tegu, or argentine tegu, emerges with the warming sun and actively prowls its territory in search of any small animals that its capable of catching and devouring. It has a long, whiplike tail that is usually longer than its body, sharp claws and teeth, and a long forked tongue. For my tegus, it really depends on their age, how long ive had them, continue the answer here. Is a argentine black and white tegu the right pet lizard. The general care and maintenance of popular monitors and. It was also written like 10 years ago so much of it is outdated particularly in regards to breeding success. Sometimes argentine tegus are also called giant tegus or bigheaded tegus. They are omnivorous, meaning they will eat plant and animal material. In an analysis of 124 gut content samples from tegus captured along the urban fringe in miamidade county, 39% contained vertebrate remains. If you would like to participate, you can choose to edit this article, or visit the project page for more information. A tegu is a very heavybodied lizard resembling a monitor. Due to the smaller size of a young tegu, insects can and should make up most of the protein offered. Subscribe for monthly specials, new arrivals, and informative articles. The argentine black and white tegu, also known as the argentine giant tegu, is an omnivorous lizard native to semideserts, savannas, and the tropical rainforests of east and central south america.
If you are among the millions who climb into bed every night dreaming of the best pet, i have the answer you have been looking for. Colombian tegus are carnivorous, meaning that they eat primarily animals. Monitor and tegu includes savannah monitors and tegu lizards. As a predator, the tegu is likely to have harmful effects on south floridas native wildlife. Ask a store partner about petco s selection of books on tegus and monitors and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. But while they can make interesting, responsive pets, tegus are capable of inflicting serious injuries, and require much more space than the. Argentine tegu for sale argentine tegu housing or black and white tegu habitat enclosure size is determined by total length of a large lizard, but bigger is always better for this active animal.
Tegu and monitor food is made with real chicken and soybeans to. They are extremely intelligent and love receiving attention from humans, comparable to other domestic house pets like cats and dogs. The argentine black and white tegu is among the most intelligent of all lizards and who can resist the worlds first known partially warm blooded reptile. Argentine tegu for sale black and white tegus for sale. These powerful, terrestrial predators shelter in burrows after being active by day. Overview these powerful, terrestrial predators shelter in burrows after being active by day.
Tegus are black and white in color with banding along the tail. The argentine black and white tegu is a large, nonnative lizard that has been introduced to florida. Facts about the tegu you cant afford to miss pet ponder. The argentine black and white tegu in south florida. As the name indicates, it comes from argentina, and some parts of brazil and uruguay. All private brand products carry a 100% moneyback guarantee. The little guys were so tame and we really enjoyed playing with them during our photo shoot, so naturally we wanted to shine the spotlight on these great little lizards. Mopani wood is a beautiful twotoned african hardwood which makes an amazing addition to any tropical freshwater aquarium or terrarium. This species is known for becoming quite tame in captivity, and attaining a size of nearly four feet. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. It is very rare, and brazil will not allow any exports. Tegu fast facts n tegus are native to south america. For the first year of life, both require a highprotein diet of meat and insects to fuel rapid growth about 90% protein and 10% vegetables, with occasional fruit.
Chacoan white tegus will generally have a white or off white colored head. Nov 27, 2017 i finally made a video on my favorite species. There is a huge temperament difference between a colombian tegu and continue the answer here. Tegus are becoming more common in the pet trade each year. The book has a lot of good information and is probably the best springboard to find more information on monitors and tegus. The argentine red tegu has also gained popularity due to its beautiful coloration, and some are even called blood reds because the red color they exhibit is so intense. Start this article has been rated as startclass on the projects quality. This book has a lot of good information in it but it reads like a science journal. We have captive born and bred argentine black and white tegus for sale at unbeatably low prices. It is an omnivorous species which inhabits the tropical rain forests, savannas, and semideserts of eastern and central south america.
Ask a store partner about petcos selection of books on tegus and monitors and the variety of. Argentine black and white tegu destructive invasive. Tegus in captivity need a basking spot of about 100110 degrees during the spring and summer. Depending on the species, tegus grow to be between 2460 61152. Reading a book, checking your phone, watching tv eventually the tegu will get curious. The argentine black and white tegu salvator merianae, also called commonly the argentine giant tegu, the black and white tegu, and the huge tegu, is a species of lizard in the family teiidae. Argentine black and white tegus are usually calm and simple to deal with. Tegus are interesting and hardy lizards that make great pets for those seeking a lizard that usually tolerates a moderate amount of handling. In the wild, the average lifespan of an argentine tegu is 15 to 20 years. Is there a temperament difference with different coloured argentine tegus. Tegus are very smart, and even this behavior will go away with time as they begin to trust you.
Hard tegus are diurnal, terrestrial lizards found throughout eastern and southeastern south america. According to a survey of tegu stomach contents, adult argentine tegus were found to eat about 3060% plant material mostly fruit, 1540% invertebrates, and 2030% vertebrates. Lizard care sheets argentine tegu tupinambis merianae care sheet argus monitor varanus panoptes horni care sheet asian water dragon physignathus cocincinus care sheet bearded dragon pogona vitticeps care sheet blue tail monitor varanus doreanus care sheet blue tongue skink tiliqua gigasscincoides care sheet colombian tegu or golden tegu tupinambis teguixin care sheet. Avoid hand feeding, as the last thing you want is a hungry tegu that associates any part of your body with food. Salvator merianae argentine or giant black and white tegu, blue tegu, salvator rufescens red tegu, andtupinambis teguixin colombian black and white or gold tegu. This locality is known for growing large and having more white than black patterning. The result is the tegu of your dreams and then you notice it was posted in 2003 and is still on the web site.
This care sheet is showing the way we found works best for us from our many years of experience of caring for this species. Argentine black and white tegu tupinambis merianae. In fact, fully tame argentine tegus have been described as doglike. Salvator merianae argentine or giant black and white tegu, blue tegu, salvator. Lizard care sheets argentine tegu tupinambis merianae care sheet argus monitor varanus panoptes horni care sheet asian water dragon physignathus cocincinus care sheet bearded dragon pogona vitticeps care sheet blue tail monitor varanus doreanus care sheet blue tongue skink tiliqua gigasscincoides care sheet colombian tegu or golden tegu tupinambis teguixin care sheet crested. Tegu lizard description, habitat, image, diet, and. The argentine black and white tegu is a big lizard with the scientific name tupinambis merianae. The argentine black and white tegu reaches a moderately large size. Their coloration varies based on their age, but they are generally mottled black and white with varying amounts of other colors. Argentine black and white tegu care argentine black and white tegu female published on january 28th 2017 by staff under lizards.
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