# Gold Tegu (*Tupinambis teguixin*) The Gold Tegu is a shiny, golden lizard that loves to bask in the sun. They are curious and enjoy playing in the leaves! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Tropical forests - **Also known as:** Common Tegu, Tegu Lizard ![Gold Tegu](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426510/objects/5716.jpg) ## Appearance The Gold Tegu is a large, powerfully built lizard with striking black and yellow-gold banded patterns across its body and tail. Its robust scales give it a textured appearance, distinct from smoother-skinned reptiles. The bright coloration provides camouflage in its sun-dappled habitats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Teiidae - **Genus:** Tupinambis ## Interesting facts - Gold Tegus are surprisingly intelligent for reptiles, even learning to recognize people! - Their long, muscular tails are important for swimming and for balancing while climbing! - These fascinating lizards often make loud hissing or huffing sounds when feeling threatened. - They can regulate their body temperature more actively than many other reptiles! ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** Gold Tegu can use its forked tongue to 'taste' the air for scents, helping them find hidden prey or detect danger. - **Tail Detach:** Gold Tegu can detach its tail to distract predators, allowing them to escape to safety. - **Ground Dweller:** Gold Tegu can dig burrows with its strong claws, providing shelter from heat, cold, and enemies. - **Strong Jaws:** Gold Tegu has powerful jaws and sharp teeth that help them crush insects, eggs, and small vertebrate prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-100 cm - **Weight:** 3.5-7 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-30 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding Gold Tegus are omnivores, eating almost anything from insects and fruit to eggs and small animals. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Rodents, Birds, Eggs, Fruits, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harpy-eagle) (*Harpia harpyja*) — Hunts adult and juvenile tegus. - **Eaten by:** [Jaguar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jaguar) (*Panthera onca*) — Large cat that preys on various reptiles including tegus. - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Adult tegus hunt and eat mice. ## Traits - [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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Gold 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 Gold Tegu? 60-100 cm ### How much does Gold Tegu weigh? 3.5-7 kg ### How long does Gold Tegu live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Gold Tegu move? 20 km/h ### What does Gold Tegu eat? Gold Tegus are omnivores, eating almost anything from insects and fruit to eggs and small animals. ### How fast can Gold Tegu swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Gold Tegu usually found? Tropical forests ## Where to spot - [Utinga Camillo Vianna State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/utinga-camillo-vianna-state-park) — BR · Park ## 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: [Gold Tegu: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gold-tegu)