what does a tegu typically look like?
A tegu is a very heavy-bodied lizard resembling a monitor. It has a long, whip-like tail that is usually longer than its body, sharp claws and teeth, and a long forked tongue. Males are typically larger than females in length and girth. Females generally max out at about 3 feet to 3.5 feet in length while males can grow up to 5 feet long. Males also have a larger, more rounded jaw line. The Argentine variety has beaded skin which is uncommon to present day lizards, though it was common to find it on dinosaurs millions of years ago. It has two lines of yellow dotting beginning at its head and going down to the beginning of its tail, known as lateral lines. It has two loreal scales, which means that it has two scales between its nostril and its eye (as pictured below). On the other hand, the Colombian tegu has smooth skin, no lateral lines, and has only one loreal scale. That being said, there can occasionally be exceptions to these rules.
Photograph: Rare Adult Argentine Red Tegu
Photograph: Rare Adult Argentine Red Tegu
Photograph: Loreal Scales of a Sub-adult Argentine Black and White Tegu