Reptiles · Squamata · Teiidae
Black-and-white Tegu
Tupinambis merianae
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) is a species of lizard of the family Teiidae. It is an omnivorous reptile that lays eggs. It is generally not considered dangerous, and given its sociable nature and strong personality, it has caught many people's attention and is consequently sought after as a pet on occasion.
Weight
2.5 kg – 7 kg
Size
1 m – 1.4 m
Lifespan
20 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- It is partly endothermic: during the breeding season it raises its body temperature up to ten degrees above the surroundings by generating its own metabolic heat, something once thought unique to birds and mammals and described in this species in 2016.
- It is established as an invasive species in Florida, where it preys on the nests of gopher tortoises and American crocodiles and where active trapping programmes are in place.
- It hibernates for several months in burrows it digs itself, and during that period its metabolism drops to minimal levels.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
- Habitat & environment
- Dry forest, cerrado, grassland and farmland of central and southern South America
- Sexual maturity
- 3 years
- Gestation / incubation
- 60 days of incubation
- Litter / clutch size
- 30 eggs
Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvator_merianae
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapWhere to watch it
Parques y spots de buceo donde se ha documentado esta especie — se muestran 10 de 41 documentados.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Black-and-white Tegu — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Black Tegu
Tupinambis teguixin
Northern Caiman Lizard
Dracaena guianensis
Giant Ameiva
Ameiva ameiva
Red-winged Tinamou
Rhynchotus rufescens
Crested Caracara
Caracara plancus
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
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