Although it is not a common name it is not the only one. Argentine Tegu is found in several locations throughout South America: Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.
The Argentine Black and White Tegu is often referred to as an Argentine Giant as they can grow to 4.5 feet in length weigh 20 pounds and generally white and black in color.
Their size can be a great way to trick reptile owners into thinking that they’re dangerous. But, they are also known to be extremely gentle.
They are recognized for having a strong bond with their owners. they are even compared to being similar to companion animals. In addition to their appeal and easy-to-care for it’s clear why they’re becoming extremely well-known reptiles.
Continue reading our complete care document to know more about their requirements for cages as well as their diet, common behavior, and where to locate reputable breeders.
What is an Argentine Tegu?
Tegus belong to a family of lizards with the same physical description however, some are smaller and come in various colors (e.g. white, black and red).
Tegus from Argentina are native lizards of central and eastern South America. They are the result of convergent evolution. They live within tropical forests, deserts, and Savannas.
Because of negligent owners release their captive animals into the wild Some Black as well as White Tegus have been reported from as far from Florida.
It is the Argentine Black and White Tegu is extremely long, often being 5 feet long and has strong, robust body with long tails and strong legs. This gives their runners the capability to go extremely quickly.
The beaded skin of theirs is composed of white and black stripes and dots, however their most distinctive characteristic are the “chubby cheeks”. This is a characteristic that can only be noticed in males, and is due to the fact that sexual selection plays a role (i.e. stronger jowls equate a stronger male).
The lizard is famous for two reasons that aren’t good:
- They are a culinary delicacy
- These are the materials used create leather
But, there are many reasons to love the Giant Tegus as pets. They’re beautiful, intelligent and serene. These lizards are among the most loved reptile species in the wild.
They form a strong connection with their owners due to this the majority of Argentine Tegu owners compare owning one as compared to having cats or dogs which is another reason they’re extremely loved by people!
Most active in the daytime and enjoy spending the day relaxing or searching for food. They are also known for their peaceful and loving temperament, making them ideal to handle.
| Summary Table | |
|---|---|
| Common Names | The Argentine Giant Tegu in White, Black and Black Tegu |
| Scientific Name | Salvator Merianae |
| Adult Size | Three to five feet in length and 20 pounds |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20 years |
| Diet | Insects, fruits and lean meat |
| Tank Size | The minimum is 8 inches 4 feet |
| Humidity and Temperature | The temperature should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity must be maintained between 75-90%. |
| Popular Alternatives | Red Tegu |
Argentine Tegu Care Guide
Outside of captive confinement, Argentine Tegus can be located in tropical regions of central and eastern South America. They can climb, but prefer to remain nearer to the surface (i.e. terrestrial) and can also be caught in freshwater.
Since Tegus from Argentine Tegu thrives when temperatures are warm In captivity, they need a hotter and more smoky basking area (more about this later)!
Tank and enclosure
They are large lizards They require tanks that have enough space to accommodate their long tail. The most suitable enclosures suitable for Argentine Tegus are constructed out of melamine with a single glass window to see your pet.
Due to this lizard’s rapid growth rate and its massive adult size, it’s fine to keep an adult tank right from the beginning. However, some owners opt to begin with smaller cages.
- The hatchlings can be placed in terrariums that hold 20 gallon.
- Juveniles can be kept in terrariums that hold 80-gallon tanks.
- As they get older to adulthood, they should reside in a terrarium of at least 8×4 inches x 4 feet.
In general, females aren’t as tall as males, so their tanks can be smaller, but you need to be aware the fact that Tegus have active lizards. Therefore, they must have an enclosure that is at least 8x4x4 feet.
Lighting
It is believed that the Argentine Black as well as White Tegu needs UVB lighting in order to thrive in captivity. Terrarium hoods with the capacity to accommodate this kind of lighting are available quite easily.
This kind of Tegu also requires a hot and hot basking point that is achieved by hot red bulbs. A very hot basking location between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit must be accessible at all times. Wild, Tegus often spend their time in the sunlight which is why it’s essential to replicate it in your tank.
An appropriate enclosure should have an appropriate heat gradient. The area that is used for basking should be the most hot spot inside the enclosure between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooler spot (on one side) should be kept between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lamps in red, heater pads and ceramic heat emitters help keep your tank warm and comfortable.
The proper humidity level is 75-90 percent. This is achieved by mixing water with the substrate until it’s wet or by spraying it with a bottle.
Substrate
Because Argentine Tegus like to burrow in the ground, they’ll be living in a lot of substrata.
Substrates that are made from coconut coir, cypress mulch soil, sand or sand are the most effective since they can hold the moisture, which keeps the humidity high.
The reptiles are fond of burrowing therefore hatchlings should have an average depth of 4 inches while adults need 8 inches. Substrates that are smudgey or resinous must avoid at all times since they pose a risk for Argentine Tegus.
They must have a water bowl large enough to allow them to climb in and soak in. The other decorations need to be strong enough to withstand this Lizard’s weight.
| Tank Tips | |
|---|---|
| Tank Type | Melamine |
| Lighting | UVB lights and red bulbs to sunbathing spot |
| The Best Substrate | Coconut coir or cypress mulch |
Feeding A Argentine Tegu
As with all reptiles, a healthy diet and a comfy habitat are essential. Tegus are considered to be an omnivore who is opportunistic, which means that they will consume whatever is readily available. In captivity, a balanced diet should consist of fruits, insects and even meat. They are omnivores, which makes their diet simple to take care of:
- Adults should eat every three days.
- Juveniles must consume food every day
- Littler hatchlings require feeding more often and will require to eat regularly throughout the day.
To ensure a balanced diet it is recommended to consume lean meats from lizards or other protein sources like eggs or fish. They can also eat frozen rodents, fruits, and plants. The baby Tegus can eat insects so long as they’re coated with calcium powder.
The consumption of a diet that is exclusively prey is not advised for Argentine Tegu since they could not get sufficient nutrients. They should be eating plants and fruits too. The food leftovers should be disposed of at the end of every meal.
Your pet’s tank must always have a bowl of fresh and clear water. Apart from having an drinking dish for water, you might be able to offer an additional water container to ensure that your Tegu can bathe in it. This will keep them hydrated, aid in shedding , and ensure appropriate humidity levels.
| Diet Summary | |
|---|---|
| Fruits | 30% of the diet |
| Insects | 10% of the diet |
| Lean meat | 60% of the food we eat |
| Supplements Are Required | Calcium |
How to keep them healthy
Tegus could contain salmonella therefore you should cleanse your hands prior to or after touching.
Argentine Tegus are known for being calm and gentle. However, like all lizards they have to be comfortable with the person first before they handle. If they don’t, their flight or fight tendency will start to show.
Adults are more difficult to domesticate therefore, you must begin handling reptiles while they’re still young. They are also much less likely to attack, but they could try to escape away.
They need to be handled regularly so that they will be able how to trust your. Argentine Black and White Tegus are known to be food-aggressive therefore, you should only attempt handling them when there is no food available in the cage.
You can stroke and pet them as they eat however, feeding them from your hands is not advised. You will eventually notice that your lizard is beginning to come to you rather than the opposite.
Bathing
Certain Lizards have a difficult time shed. But they don’t have to. The Argentine Tegu does not require bathe since the humidity levels in their tank are sufficient to allow their skin shed in a proper manner.
However, providing a bathtub of water that is large enough to ensure your Tegu can soak will not cause any harm. If you decide to go this route, make sure that you don’t leave it in the open and the water shouldn’t be able to pass over your pet’s shoulders.
Tank Cleaning
Cleaning up spots faster should be performed regularly. The enclosure needs to be misted several times per day, using a hand or with an automated mister.
The waste they produce should be cleaned every day with your regular spot-cleaning.
Healthy waste has a brown color and hard. It can be more runny when they have eaten fruit. There could be a yellow or white substance that is present in the stool, which is composed of Uric acid. In the event that you find that your stool is always running then you must talk to a doctor as this could be an indication that they have internal parasites.
Cleansing the cage food, water and bowl(s) is an annual routine. The ratio should be bleach at a 1:10 level so you can as long as the Tegu isn’t in the cage.
| Health Signs That They Are | The symptoms of sickness |
|---|---|
| Nose, eyes and vent | Twitching (symptom of Metabolic Bone Disease) |
| Eats often | A loss of appetite |
| Active | Lethargy |
How Long Will Tegus, Argentine’s son, live?
While in captivity Argentine Black and White Tegus are able to live up to 20 years..
The most frequent health issues for this species are metabolic bone disease and calcium or phosphorous deficiency as well as salmonella and intestinal parasites. A majority, if certainly not all of these health problems arise from unhealthful diets or inadequate temperatures and humidity levels.
In the cooler seasons, you might notice that your Tegu is extremely unresponsive and inactive. It’s normal! Since they are to hot regions, Argentine Tegus tend to get bruised during the winter months.
Are Argentine Tegus aggressive?
When in the wild reptiles are often found on the ground, taking a nap or looking for food sources to eat. They are active throughout the daytime and can be found in solitude. The wild Tegus are more hostile than captives, and will repel predators by running around on their back feet or whuffing.
Argentine Tegu has a reputation for being extremely antagonistic when it comes to their food , and would likely engage in fights due to this.
They can communicate this by exaggerating when they are angry. If they sway their backs, it could indicate that they’re hostile and are ready to strike.
When you are in tanks, you might observe that your lizards look as Iguanas. They spend the majority of their time at the area of the basking and will enjoy digging into their substrates, and then the ability to hide.
If you allow them to get out of the cage they could seek out the attention of humans and look about.
Tegus of Argentina are charming and smart and can identify them as their owner and establish a relationship with them. This is the case only for lizards that are handled before they are small.
Can Tegus be kept together?
Argentine Tegus can share their space. If you have three or more pets, you’ll require an extra large cage that has more holes for hiding.
To be sure to be secure, ensure you’re watching your lizards closely to prevent fighting, particularly when they are eating.
Argentine Black and White Tegu Appearance
The distinction between male and female Argentine Black and White Tegu is quite simple. Females are smaller than males (growing by up to 3.0 inches) and males typically 4.5 feet (1.5 feet larger):
- Male lizards can reach in size of 4.5 feet in length and weigh up to 20 pounds
- Females should be about 3 feet tall and weigh approximately 15 pounds.
Males are also known to have larger jowls, which give an appearance “chubby cheeks”
As young, Argentine Tegus will be around 7-10 inches long. They are known to increase at a rapid rate, reaching 75 percent of their length within a year.
The beaded skin of an Argentine Tegu will always be white and black. There will be a variety of stripes and bands. When they are hatchlings, they may have green hair on their heads (reaching all the way into their necks) The hue fades after several months, and then changes into white and black.
They may be red, thereby making these known as the Red Tegu. They’re similar to the Argentine however they may be a bit smaller.
Baby Argentine Tegus
Males possess a variety of distinct physical traits that make determining their sex easy job.
Argentine Tegus have a sexual diversity. This makes it easy to distinguish between females and males.
In order at attracting females, males tend to make pop sounds or make head movements. Females can begin to sway between their bodies or drag their backs.
The process of copulation can last over a period of 1-2 weeks, and eggs hatch in approximately 58 to 60 days. Females are able to lay between up to 73 eggs within one clutch, however the typical is 30.
The ideal incubation temperature is between 86 and 90 degrees F. Temperatures that are higher could cause baby to hatch before the time. This means that they will not be as healthy.
The hatchlings must be fed daily. They are mostly insectivores and can be fed medium-sized crickets Dubia insects, mealworms, and earthworms. The hatchlings need to be handled regularly in the early days so that they will grow to become docile.
How Much Does Argentine Tegus Prices?
Argentine Tegus retail for around $ 200. They are available through numerous breeders, which is why it is crucial to choose a breeder that is reputable for an animal that is healthy.
Care Guide Summary
Argentine Tegus could appear a little intimidating for certain amateurs. If you’re still not sure however you are determined to face this beast It is also possible to consider Tegus Red. Red Tegu.
If you want to keep an Argentine Black and White Tegu you have to be able to provide them with a suitable habitat to live in. This is a reference to:
- Space (their enclosures aren’t tiny)
- A healthy diet that is balanced with plenty of lean meat
- The tank closely mimics their natural habitat
In the end, your Tegu will require lots of love. They make excellent pets for those looking for friendship and are willing to do their best.
