Argentine black and white tegu — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Argentine black and white tegu — origin: South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil). Species listed in CITES Appendix II (formerly Tupinambis merianae): check import/keeping regulations and require traceability (CITES/CDC documents depending on the country). Strongly favour captive-bred individuals..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min20 °C

Cool side24–28 °C

Warm side30–35 °C

Basking spot43–50 °C

A heliophilic species requiring a genuine bright hot spot (basking lamp) above a solid resting area. A marked thermal gradient is essential. The natural nighttime drop is beneficial. In winter, provide a brumation period at lower temperatures and a reduced photoperiod for healthy adults.

Enclosure (adult)

240 × 120 × 90 cm

Large custom-built enclosure (cabinet/closed terrarium), terrestrial with a deep substrate.

Minimum dimensions for one adult; bigger is always better. A sturdy structure is essential (a powerful, burrowing animal). Provide a robust hide and a deep substrate that allows digging. A juvenile grows fast: aim straight for the adult enclosure.

Humidity

60–80 %

Moderate to high humidity. A deep substrate moistened in its lower layers (dry at the surface) and a large water tub help maintain it. Ensure good ventilation to avoid stagnation and respiratory infections.

Substrate

Topsoil / coco fibre (mix)Cypress mulchDust-free soil-sand mix

A deep layer of at least 30 to 45 cm to allow burrow digging and thermoregulation. It can be lightly moistened in its depth; keep the surface drier.

UVB

Recommended

Essential and powerful: a T5 HO UVB tube around 10-12% (Ferguson zone 3-4) covering the resting area, to be replaced every 6-12 months. Insufficient UVB quickly leads to metabolic bone disease in this heliophilic species.

Water source

Always available

A large tub of clean water allowing full-body immersion: the tegu bathes and often defecates in it. Frequent cleaning and renewal to limit bacteria.

Origin

Teiidae

South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil). Species listed in CITES Appendix II (formerly Tupinambis merianae): check import/keeping regulations and require traceability (CITES/CDC documents depending on the country). Strongly favour captive-bred individuals.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Whole rodents, chicks/turkey, eggs, fish, insects; fruits and vegetables.

Insatiable appetite: rationing is imperative to prevent obesity, which is very common in captivity. Juveniles are more carnivorous/insectivorous; adults receive more varied whole prey and a share of plant matter. Supplement with calcium and vitamins. Avoid excess fatty processed meats.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 10–30 eggs/young. Egg-laying in spring after coming out of brumation; the female builds a sometimes bulky nest and may guard it. Incubation of about 50-60 days at around 28-30 °C depending on the parameters. Marked dimorphism: larger males with developed jowls.

Health watch points

Obesity and fatty liver overload (overfeeding, insatiable appetite)
Metabolic bone disease (insufficient UVB and/or calcium)
Respiratory infections (temperatures too low or poorly managed humidity)
Stomatitis (mouth rot) and abscesses
Internal/external parasitoses, especially in wild-caught specimens

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes and 1 named combos for Argentine black and white tegu.

Albino (T-) purple albinoRec
Anerythristic / Ice silverRec
HypomelanisticInc.d

Named combos — 1 documented combined morphs

Snow

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Argentine black and white tegu × Argentine black and white tegu

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the argentine black and white tegu.

How big does an adult Argentine tegu get?▾

Plan on between 100 and 140 cm in total length, tail included, the tail accounting for about half the body; some large males even exceed 140 cm. Growth is rapid, so you must anticipate the adult size from the outset rather than enlarging the enclosure as you go.

What enclosure should be planned for such an imposing animal?▾

An adult needs a custom-built enclosure of at least 240 x 120 x 90 cm, with a sturdy structure because it is a powerful, burrowing animal. Provide a deep substrate and a robust hide; since a juvenile grows very fast, it is better to aim straight for the adult enclosure.

What temperature and hot spot are necessary?▾

The tegu is heliophilic and needs a genuine bright hot spot between 43 and 50 °C above a solid basking area, with a gradient running from 24-28 °C on the cool side to 30-35 °C on the warm side. At night, the temperature must not drop below 20 °C, except during winter brumation.

Does the tegu really hibernate?▾

Yes, in a healthy adult a winter brumation period of several months is natural: a lower temperature and a reduced photoperiod reproduce the seasonal cycle of its native South America.

Does it really need strong UVB?▾

Absolutely: it is a heliophilic species that requires powerful UVB, of the T5 HO 10-12% tube type, covering its basking area and replaced every 6 to 12 months. Insufficient UVB rapidly causes metabolic bone disease in the tegu.

What humidity and what substrate should be used?▾

Aim for moderate to high humidity, between 60 and 80%, with a deep substrate layer of at least 30 to 45 cm, moistened deep down but drier at the surface. This depth lets it dig burrows and thermoregulate, while keeping good ventilation to prevent respiratory infections.

What does a tegu eat, and how do you keep it from getting too fat?▾

Its omnivorous diet combines whole rodents, chicks or turkey, eggs, fish, insects, fruit and vegetables. The appetite is insatiable, so the real challenge is to ration the portions strictly: obesity is one of the most common health problems in captivity.

How should water and bathing be managed?▾

It needs a large tub of clean water allowing full-body immersion: the tegu willingly bathes in it and often defecates there, which requires frequent cleaning and renewal.

Is the tegu really sociable with humans?▾

It is nicknamed the "dog of the reptile world": intelligent and curious, it seeks contact and becomes docile to handling once accustomed. Its bite nevertheless remains very powerful, which calls for respect and caution, all the more so as males can become more aggressive during the breeding season.

How long does a tegu live, and what health problems should be watched?▾

Its lifespan is 15 to 20 years, sometimes more with good care. The main points of vigilance are obesity and hepatic overload linked to overfeeding, metabolic bone disease in case of insufficient UVB or calcium, and respiratory infections if the temperatures are poorly regulated.

Is this species suitable for a beginner?▾

Its difficulty is judged intermediate: the tegu requires a large enclosure, powerful UVB and rigorous management of the diet, which already presupposes a minimum of experience in herpetoculture before starting out.

Can one acquire a tegu freely?▾

The Argentine tegu is listed in Appendix II of CITES: you must check the import and keeping regulations in force and demand full traceability. It is strongly advised to favour a captive-bred animal.

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