Tegu
An Argentine black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae).
A tegu is a member of a number of lizard species that belong to the family Teiidae. Tegus are native to Central and South America. They occupy a variety of habitats and are known for their large size and predatory habits.
Although they resemble monitor lizards, they are only distantly related to them; the similarities are a result of convergent evolution.
Some species are of economic importance as food and pets.
Some species have become invasive species in regions of South Florida.
Not all lizards known as tegus belong to the same genus. The word "tegu" may refer to any of the following genera:
- Callopistes "dwarf tegus" (2 species)
- Crocodilurus "crocodile tegus" (1 species)
- Dicrodon "desert tegus" (3 species)
- Dracaena "caiman lizards" also known as "caiman tegus" (2 species)
- Teius "Four-toed Tegu" (3 species)
- Tupinambis/Salvator "giant tegus" (7 species, paraphyletic group)
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