Black and white Tegu

DESCRIPTION

It is a lizard with a robust, blackish-brown body with a blueish shine. It has bands across its body made up of yellow spots of different sizes, down to the tip of the tail. There is also a series of yellow spots on its head, neck and extremities. The tail is almost as long as the rest of its body.

ETHOLOGY

It is a diurnal animal that seeks shelter during winter in burrows that it digs itself, using the claws of its hind legs. They are excellent swimmers and climbers.

Females can lay from 4 to 32 eggs, which hatch after 152 to 171 days at a temperature between 28 and 30 degrees. 

CURIOSITIES

The black and white tegu has several natural enemies such as the puma, jaguar and coati. They usually lose their tail during combat, which regenerates, although never reaching its original size.

They are hunted for their skin, and at a local level for human consumption. They are also illegally caught from the natural environment to be sold as pets.