Tupinambis merianae
| Argentine black and white tegu | |
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| Specimen of Salvator merianae in the Buenos Aires Zoo | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Salvator |
| Species: | S. merianae |
| Binomial name | |
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Salvator merianae A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1839 |
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| Synonyms | |
The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae), also called the Argentine giant tegu, is the largest species of tegu lizard. They are an omnivorous species which inhabits the tropical rain forests, savannas, and semi-deserts of east and central South America.
Argentine tegus have unusually high intelligence. It has been observed and recorded that some will regularly and clearly seek out human affection, just as a dog or cat might. Some form a strong attachment to their keeper. Some have been reported to come on command; they can also be house-broken.
Like many other reptiles, Argentine tegus go into brumation (a form of hibernation) in autumn when the temperature drops. They exhibit a high level of activity during their wakeful period of the year.
Tegus fill ecological niches similar to those of monitor lizards, and are an example of convergent evolution.
The specific name, merianae, is in honor of German-born naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian.
As hatchlings, they have an emerald green color from the tip of their snout to midway down their neck with black markings. The emerald green becomes black a couple of months after shedding. As young animals the tail is banded yellow and black, as they age the solid yellow bands nearest the body change to areas of weak speckling, fewer solid bands indicates an older animal. Tegu will drop a section of their tail as a distraction if attacked. The tail is also used as a weapon to swipe at an irritating animal or human.
Adult males are much larger than the females and can reach 3 feet (92 cm) in length at maturity. They may continue to grow to lengths of 4 – 4.5 feet (120 to 140 cm).
The females are much smaller, but may grow up to 3 feet in length, from nose to tail. They have beaded skin and stripes running down their body. Adult females can reach a weight of 2.5 – 7 kg.
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Wikipedia