Tegu

Black and White Tegu (Tupinambis merianae)

A Tegu is any of a number of lizards that belong to the Teiidae family. Tegus are native to Central and South America, occupy a variety of habitats, and are known for their large size and predatory habits. Some species are of economic importance as food and pets. Some have become invasive species in regions of south Florida. Though they resemble monitor lizards, they are only distantly related, with the similarities a result of convergent evolution.

Not all lizards known as tegus belong to the same genus. The word Tegu may refer to the following genera:

• Callopistes: "Dwarf Tegus" (2 species)
• Crocodilurus: "Crocodile Tegu" (1 species)
• Dicrodon: "Desert Tegus" (3 species)
• Dracaena: "Caiman Lizards", AKA: "Caiman Tegus" (2 species)
• Tupinambis: "Giant Tegus" (7 species, paraphyletic clade)