Gold tegu

Gold tegu
on Trinidad
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Family:Teiidae
Genus:Tupinambis
Species: T. teguixin
Binomial name
Tupinambis teguixin
Synonyms[1]

Teius teguexim (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tupinambis nigropunctatus (Spix, 1825)

The gold tegu, also known as golden tegu, common tegu, black tegu, Colombian tegu, and tiger lizard (on Trinidad),[2] is a species of tegu. Its old scientific name (synonym) was Tupinambis nigropunctatus, but it has since renamed to Tupinambis teguixin.[1]

Gold tegus grow to be about 2 to 3 ft (60 to 100 cm) long on average, and up to 3.5 to 4.0 kg in weight, with a glossy body, powerful limbs, and a thick tail.[3] They have many black and gold stripes down their bodies. Gold tegus live in the tropical forests of northern and central South America, as well as Panama. They feed on insects, invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles, and birds, as well as fish and sometimes fruit. They typically do not make as good a pet as their larger southern relatives, the Argentine black and white tegu or the Argentine red tegu, but if handled frequently, they can make a good pet.

References

  1. 1 2 Tupinambis teguixin at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 15 May 2014.
  2. ↑ Wildherps.com
  3. ↑ http://www.oni.escuelas.edu.ar/2001/corrientes/conocer-para-conservar/lagarto.htm
  • Gold tegus
  • Bartlett, R.D., and Bartlett, P. (2003). Reptiles and Amphibians of the Amazon: An Ecotourist's Guide.


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