# 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! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Black-and-white Tegu ![Argentine Black-and-white Tegu](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black_and_White_Tegu.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tomfriedel, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_and_White_Tegu.jpg) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Teiidae - **Genus:** Salvator ## Interesting facts - 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! ## Special abilities - **Super Scent Tracker:** Argentine Black-and-white Tegu can locate hidden food and track prey using its forked tongue to 'taste' scents in the air. - **Body Thermostat:** Argentine Black-and-white Tegu can raise its body temperature above the environment, even creating internal warmth like mammals. - **Tail Defense:** Argentine Black-and-white Tegu has a thick, muscular tail that can be used to whip predators, defending itself effectively. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 80-140 cm - **Weight:** 3-9 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 18 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 20-70 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding These smart lizards are omnivores, eating almost anything from fruits to small animals. - **Age differences:** Juveniles eat more insects; adults consume more fruits, eggs, and small vertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** insects, fruits, bird eggs, small rodents, caiman eggs, carrion - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch a wild lizard. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Argentine Black-and-white Tegu? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Argentine Black-and-white Tegu? 80-140 cm ### How much does Argentine Black-and-white Tegu weigh? 3-9 kg ### How long does Argentine Black-and-white Tegu live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Argentine Black-and-white Tegu move? 18 km/h ### What does Argentine Black-and-white Tegu eat? These smart lizards are omnivores, eating almost anything from fruits to small animals. ### How fast can Argentine Black-and-white Tegu swim? 2 km/h ### Where is Argentine Black-and-white Tegu usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Mill Mountain Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mill-mountain-zoo) — Virginia, US · Zoo - [Homestead Historic Downtown District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/homestead-historic-downtown-district) — Florida, US · Historic District ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Argentine Black-and-white Tegu Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/argentine-black-and-white-tegu)