| Gold tegu | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Tupinambis |
| Species: | T. teguixin |
| Binomial name | |
| Tupinambis teguixin (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Teius teguexim Bates, 1864 |
|
The gold tegu, also known as common tegu, black tegu and Colombian tegu[1], is a species of tegu. Its old scientific name (synonym) was Tupinambis nigropunctatus but it has since renamed to Tupinambis teguixin.
Gold tegus grow to be approximately 2 to 3 feet on average with a glossy body, powerful limbs and a thick tail. They have many black and gold stripes down their body. Gold tegus live in the tropical forests of northern and central South America. 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 its larger southern cousins; Argentine Black and White tegu or the Red tegu but if handled frequently, can make a good pet.