Argentine Black and White Tegu

Looks how to spot one

Beaded scales, heavy-bodied ground lizard

A big, powerfully built lizard with a sturdy head and a long, thick tail. Adults wear a bold black and white pattern of bands and speckles. Hatchlings start out with a bright emerald-green head and neck, and the crisp black and yellow tail bands of youngsters gradually break up into speckling as they mature.1

Personality what they are like

Often calm and easygoing as a pet once it has settled in, though young tegus go through a more flighty teenage phase. With steady, persistent handling many become remarkably relaxed around their keepers, but like any large lizard they prefer not to be startled.31

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active, ground-dwelling forager that likes to roam, dig and explore during the day, then slows down for a seasonal rest (brumation) as temperatures fall in autumn. A very large enclosure and supervised time out of it keep it busy.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Offer a large water bowl big enough for soaking, using tap or spring water changed every two to three days or whenever dirty. Monitor temperatures with an infrared thermometer and keep humidity high with regular misting and moistened substrate. Plan for a yearly brumation period.45

Home where they are happiest

Minimum adult enclosure about 3 x 1.5 x 1.5 m for males and 2.4 x 1.2 x 1.2 m for females, larger if possible. Basking surface 52-57 °C, warm side 32-35 °C, cool side 24-29 °C, and 20-23 °C at night. Humidity 70-80% with a humid hide. Provide 12-14 hours of UVB daily (UVI about 3-4 at the basking spot).65

Food basics what goes in the bowl

An omnivore. A suggested balance is about 60% animal protein (insects, whole prey such as mice and rats, eggs), 30% vegetables such as collard greens, squash and bell pepper, and 10% fruit such as berries and melon. Hatchlings eat about five times a week, tapering to about twice a week for adults over two years; portions roughly the size of the tegu's head.41

Company who they like around

Does not need a companion; usually kept on its own. It builds a bond with its keeper through regular, patient handling.3

The story where it all began

Duméril and Bibron described the species in 1839, naming it after the naturalist and artist Maria Sibylla Merian. For more than 150 years it was mixed up with the gold tegu (Tupinambis teguixin), was placed in Tupinambis in 1995, and was moved back to the genus Salvator in 2012. It is the largest of the tegus and has become a well-known lizard in the pet trade.12

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1).1

The Reptile Database

Accepted species Salvator merianae Duméril & Bibron, 1839, with three subspecies listed.2