Argentine Black-and-white Tegu

Salvator merianae

The Argentine Black-and-white Tegu is a large lizard with beautiful black and white patterns. They are curious creatures that love to explore their surroundings and can even be friendly with people!

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Argentine Black-and-white Tegu is a large, powerful lizard featuring a striking pattern of black and white bands or spots across its body and tail. It has a robust build, strong limbs, and a pointed head, making it distinctly recognizable among South American reptiles.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseSquamataOrdenLacertiliaFamiliaTeiidaeGéneroSalvator

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu

Categoría

Reptiles

Rareza

Common

Peligro

2/5 · Bajo

Snaps

¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!

Datos interesantes

Baby tegus are sometimes greener, changing colors as they grow into striking adults!

Tegus are surprisingly smart lizards; they can even be clicker-trained like some pets!

These powerful lizards can easily raid nests for delicious bird and reptile eggs!

They enter a long winter sleep called brumation, staying safe in deep burrows for months!

Habilidades especiales

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu can locate hidden food and track prey using its forked tongue to 'taste' scents in the air.

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu can raise its body temperature above the environment, even creating internal warmth like mammals.

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu has a thick, muscular tail that can be used to whip predators, defending itself effectively.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 80-140 cm
Peso: 3-9 kg
Esperanza de vida: 15-20 años
Top Speed: 18 km/h
Velocidad de nado: 2 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 20-70
Incubación: 60-90 días

Dieta y alimentación

These smart lizards are omnivores, eating almost anything from fruits to small animals.

Diferencias por edad: Juveniles eat more insects; adults consume more fruits, eggs, and small vertebrates.

Alimentos principales

insects
fruits
bird eggs
small rodents
caiman eggs
carrion

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Boa Constrictor

Boa constrictor

A primary predator, especially of younger tegus and eggs.

eaten by

Puma

Puma concolor

Large cat that preys on adult tegus in their natural habitat.

eats

Passion Fruit

Passiflora edulis

Tegus enjoy eating the ripe, sweet fruit from passion fruit vines.

eats

Field Cricket

Gryllus assimilis

Young tegus eagerly hunt and consume this common cricket species.

eats

Broad-snouted Caiman

Caiman latirostris

Tegus often raid nests to eat the eggs of these caimans.

Rasgos

A rayas

Marcado con bandas paralelas o líneas de color.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.