The golden tegu is a small lizard. In fact, one of the smallest of all the lizards around the world. It is also one of the common, as it is found in a number of countries, including Ecuador and Brazil.
The golden tegu is often seen in pairs and can be found in woodlands, grasslands, and gardens. When not in the wild, they are often kept as pets in the home.
Golden Tegu Information Table:
| Scientific Name: | Tupinambis Teguixin |
| Color Combination: | Golden (Pale yellow) and black stripes. |
| Size: | 60 to 100 cm (2 to 3 ft,) |
| Weight: | 3.5 to 4.0 Kg (7.7 lbs – 8.8 lbs) |
| Life Span: | 10 Years |
| Food Habit: | Omnivores |
| Range: | Mainly South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Tobago, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname |
Golden Tegu
Gold Tegus are frequently known as Columbian tegu, golden tegu, or black tegu. These lizard species are small and tropical rainforests animal.
They are considered dangerous animals. So, they are not recommended as ideal pets. However, gold tegus are intelligent and can recognize the owner.
They are aggressive and lives on hunting prey like small reptiles birds, fish, and insects. Due to their food habit (carnivore), they are often found near the source of water, near the deep forest,s and agricultural lands.
They are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs and incubate eggs for reproduction. In the wild, their life span is about 10 years. However, in captivity, they live longer.
Appearance
The Golden Tegu is one of those little animals that you used to get in your lunch box. Males can be easily differentiated from females. You can identify the gender by looking at the spurs that exist on the tails.
Males average around 2 to 3 feet long (61 cm) and can weigh up to 6 to 12 pounds (2.5 to 5 kg). The females tend to be slightly smaller, averaging around 1 to 2 feet long (30 to 61 cm) and weighing up to 2 pounds (0.9 kg).
They have sturdy, glossy bodies, strong legs, sharp teeth, claws, and a thick, long tail. The body and tail color is alternating between golden and black. Due to the golden strips on black, they are recognized as golden tegu.
Habitat
The golden tegu breed is native to northern and central South America.
However, they can be found in other countries like- Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Tobago, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname.
They love to live in dense forests and near water sources.
What Golden Tegu Eats?
The gold tegu is an omnivorous reptile that feeds on small mammals, fish, birds, and small insects.
Sometimes they also consume small lizards and fruits. Occasionally, they consume apples, squash, pear, and pumpkin.
Behavioral Characteristics
They are aggressive terrestrial animals. Like other lizards, they use their senses of sight, touch, olfaction, and hearing.
Golden Lizards use signals to attract mates and to intimidate competitors.
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Facts to Know About Gold Tegu
- Their scientific name was Tupinambis nigropunctatus later renamed Tupinambis teguixin.
- They spent most of their time resting, however they are not the laziest animal.
- Gold tagu enjoy bathing and and spending time in water.
- They are browers animal like rat.
- Gold tagu has powerful claws, they use it to digg hole and find small insect under rock or logs.
- When hunting they chase down the prey.
- They use their sherp teeth to grab and kill the prey.
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