tegus

Tegus are large, terrestrial lizards of the family Teiidae native to Central and South America. The group includes species in the genera Salvator and Tupinambis, the best known being the Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) and several brightly colored South American species. The common name likely derives from indigenous Guaraní languages.

Adult tegus are robust, muscular lizards often reaching 1 to 1.5 meters in length in larger species, with strong jaws, long tails, and distinctive patterned scales. They are diurnal and primarily terrestrial, occupying savannas, forests, and scrub habitats. Tegus are omnivorous generalists: their diet includes fruits, invertebrates, carrion, small vertebrates and eggs, and they are known to forage widely and excavate burrows.

Reproduction is seasonal; females lay clutches of eggs and some species exhibit notable parental behavior, including nest guarding and brooding that can involve behavioral thermoregulation to benefit developing eggs. Many tegus brumate or reduce activity in cooler months. Lifespan in captivity can exceed a decade, with some individuals living 15–20 years.

Tegus are kept as pets by experienced owners due to their intelligence and potential for tameness, but they require large enclosures, specific temperature and UV needs, and varied diets. Several species have become invasive where released or escaped, notably in parts of the United States, with documented impacts on native wildlife. Conservation status varies by species; threats include habitat loss, hunting for meat and skin, and international trade, and legal protections differ among countries and regions.