Introduction to the tegu
The tegu is a large breed of lizard indigenous to South America. There are three types of recognized tegu species, which is an important thing to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase one as you will need to decide on which species you will want to own.
First, there are the black and gold tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) which are found throughout Columbia. The black and gold tegu (commonly referred to as the gold tegu) is notorious as being the most aggressive of the tegu species, although this will change depending on the individual personality of the lizard. Second, there are the red tegu (Tupinambis rufescens), originating in Argentina, which are highly sought after due to its rarity. The red tegu is considered to be the most docile of the three types of tegu, but it will grow the largest. Finally, there are the black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae), which is found throughout Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, although they are commonly referred to as the Argentine tegu. The black and white tegu are the most common tegu kept as pets as they are known to have very docile personalities and are the easiest to come by in captivity. Keep in mind that every tegu will have a different personality, just like every person does. Some will be impossible to tame while others will be tame from the moment they come into this world, but, the majority of red tegu and the black and white tegu are renowned as the most docile and easily tamed, while the gold tegu generally remains very aggressive during its life regardless of handling or breeding methods.
When looking for your new pet, try to find a breeder who specializes in hand raising and breeding the Argentine variety of tegu as this will give you a far better chance of getting an easily tamed individual. Whenever you are looking into adding a reptile to your home, try to avoid pet stores as many sell wild caught animals that can be full of parasites and have problematic temperaments. Always, always, ALWAYS ensure you know exactly where your reptile has come from and how it is being raised.
Photograph: Adult Argentine Black and White Tegu
First, there are the black and gold tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) which are found throughout Columbia. The black and gold tegu (commonly referred to as the gold tegu) is notorious as being the most aggressive of the tegu species, although this will change depending on the individual personality of the lizard. Second, there are the red tegu (Tupinambis rufescens), originating in Argentina, which are highly sought after due to its rarity. The red tegu is considered to be the most docile of the three types of tegu, but it will grow the largest. Finally, there are the black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae), which is found throughout Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, although they are commonly referred to as the Argentine tegu. The black and white tegu are the most common tegu kept as pets as they are known to have very docile personalities and are the easiest to come by in captivity. Keep in mind that every tegu will have a different personality, just like every person does. Some will be impossible to tame while others will be tame from the moment they come into this world, but, the majority of red tegu and the black and white tegu are renowned as the most docile and easily tamed, while the gold tegu generally remains very aggressive during its life regardless of handling or breeding methods.
When looking for your new pet, try to find a breeder who specializes in hand raising and breeding the Argentine variety of tegu as this will give you a far better chance of getting an easily tamed individual. Whenever you are looking into adding a reptile to your home, try to avoid pet stores as many sell wild caught animals that can be full of parasites and have problematic temperaments. Always, always, ALWAYS ensure you know exactly where your reptile has come from and how it is being raised.
Photograph: Adult Argentine Black and White Tegu