Did you know...
- Tegus can range from 3.5 feet to 5 feet in length and weigh anywhere from 3.5 kg to 9 kg or more (8-20 lbs).
- They can live 15-20 years if properly cared for.
- They eat a diet consisting mainly of raw meat, but also require fruits and vegetables (a general list is provided in the "What Will My Tegu Eat?" section).
- They grow at a rapid rate, so be prepared to have a very large enclosure set up and ready to use.
- They have a high level of intellect, causing them to have the title of the most intelligent reptiles on Earth, and many are able to learn commands and recognize their names.
- They can become "puppy-dog" tame with regular handling and will seek out human attention (a video has been provided below), but, as with any animal, tegu can become very aggressive if not handled on a regular basis.
- The tegu is a large part of the leather and meat trade throughout Argentina, and their hides are exported to Canada, the USA, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, and some countries throughout Europe. It is estimated that over 1 million tegu are killed every year.
- Though there is not much published information about their history, tegus are part of the family of lizard known as Teiidae, commonly called whiptails and there have been fossils found dating back 3 million years ago.
Photograph: Adult Argentine Black and White Tegu
Video: Do Tegus Seek Attention?