Tegu

Tegus are large, diurnal lizards in the family Teiidae, native to South America. They include several species in the genus Salvator, formerly Tupinambis, with the Argentine tegu (Salvator merianae) among the best known. Their range extends from parts of northern Argentina and Uruguay into Brazil, Paraguay, and Colombia, depending on species. They inhabit a variety of habitats, from savannas and forests to disturbed areas near human activity.

They are robust lizards with long tails and strong limbs. Size varies by species, but tegus can exceed one meter in total length, with the tail often constituting most of that length. Color patterns range by species: some are black and white banded in youth, becoming more uniform with age; others display brown to reddish hues with darker markings.

Tegus are opportunistic omnivores. Wild diets include fruits, vegetables, eggs, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion; in captivity they are fed a mix of lean meat, low-fat fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich supplements. They are intelligent and curious, capable of recognizing handlers, but can be bold and defensive in stressful situations. They are generally diurnal and bask to regulate body temperature.

Most tegus reproduce once yearly, with females laying clutches of eggs in nests dug in soil or leaf litter. Incubation temperatures influence hatch timing and, in some species, sex. Incubation lasts several weeks to months depending on temperature.

Tegus are popular in the exotic pet trade, though legal ownership requires permits in many jurisdictions. They have established invasive populations in parts of Florida and other areas where released or escaped pets persist. In their native range, habitat loss and collection can threaten local populations, though many tegus remain widespread and locally abundant.