Biology:Gold tegu
| Gold tegu | |
|---|---|
_(Tupinambis_teguixin).JPG)
| |
| on Trinidad | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Tupinambis |
| Species: | T. teguixin
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tupinambis teguixin | |
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Teius teguexim (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
The gold tegu, also known as the golden tegu, common tegu, black tegu, Colombian black and white tegu and tiger lizard (in Trinidad),[3] is a species of tegu.
Taxonomy
Its old scientific name (synonym) was Tupinambis nigropunctatus, but it has since renamed to Tupinambis teguixin.[2]
Description
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.[4] They have many black and gold stripes down their bodies.
Distribution
Gold tegus live in the tropical forests of northern and central South America, as well as in Panama.[4] Its South American range extends to the island of Trinidad.[5]
Diet
They feed on insects, other invertebrates (such as snails), small mammals, other reptiles (such as smaller lizards and small snakes), birds, and fish; it takes nest eggs of birds, turtles, and caimans. It sometimes eats fruit and honey.[5]
As pets
They typically do not make as good a pet as their larger southern relatives, the Argentine black and white tegu and the red tegu; however, if handled frequently, they can make a good pet.[6]
References
- ↑ "Appendices". https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tupinambis teguixin at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 15 May 2014.
- ↑ "Wild herps - common tegu (Tupinambis teguixin)". http://www.wildherps.com/species/T.teguixin.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Lagarto overo o lagarto común Tupinambis teguixin". 2001. http://www.oni.escuelas.edu.ar/2001/corrientes/conocer-para-conservar/lagarto.htm.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Tupinambis teguixin (golden tegu or matte)". University of the West Indies. https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/sites/default/files/lifesciences/documents/ogatt/Tupinambis_teguixin%20-%20Golden%20Tegu%20or%20Matte.pdf.
- ↑ "Colombian Tegu Care, Information, Requirements". https://petswithscales.com/colombian-tegu/.
Bibliography
- Bartlett, R.D.; Bartlett, P. (2003). Reptiles and Amphibians of the Amazon: An ecotourist's guide. ISBN 9780813026237.
- Curwen, A.O. (April 1937). "The telencephalon of tupinambis nigropunctatus". Journal of Comparative Neurology 66 (2): 375–404. doi:10.1002/cne.900660208. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cne.900660208.
External links
- Photos (of gold tegus). Animal Diversity (images). U. Michigan.
- "Gold tegus". http://centralpets.com/animals/reptiles/lizards/lzd2740.html.
- "Colombian tegu: Gold tegu care". https://petswithscales.com/colombian-tegu/.
Wikidata ☰ Q546279 entry
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