Gold tegu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gold tegu |
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_(Tupinambis_teguixin).JPG) |
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| on Trinidad | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Tupinambis |
| Species: |
T. teguixin
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| Binomial name | |
| Tupinambis teguixin Linnaeus, 1758
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| Synonyms | |
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Teius teguexim (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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The gold tegu is a type of tegu lizard. It's also called the golden tegu, common tegu, black tegu, or Colombian black and white tegu. In Trinidad, some people call it the tiger lizard.
Contents
What is a Gold Tegu?
Gold tegus are known for their shiny bodies. They have strong legs and a thick tail. You can often see black and gold stripes along their bodies.
Size and Weight
These lizards usually grow to be about 2 to 3 feet (60 to 100 cm) long. They can weigh up to 3.5 to 4.0 kilograms.
Where Gold Tegus Live
Gold tegus live in warm, tropical forests. You can find them in northern and central South America. They also live in Panama. Their home range extends to the island of Trinidad.
What Gold Tegus Eat
Gold tegus are not picky eaters. They eat many different things.
- They hunt insects and other small creatures. This includes snails.
- They also eat small mammals, other reptiles, and birds.
- Sometimes, they catch fish.
- They like to eat eggs from bird nests. They also eat eggs from turtles and caimans.
- Occasionally, they enjoy fruit and honey.
Gold Tegus as Pets
Gold tegus can be kept as pets. They might not be as easy to handle as their larger relatives. These include the Argentine black and white tegu and the red tegu. However, if you handle a gold tegu often, it can become a good pet.
See also
- In Spanish: Iguana overa para niños
 | Audre Lorde |
 | John Berry Meachum |
 | Ferdinand Lee Barnett |
