turtles lizards snakes
frogs
Reptiles of the United States  
  Home Email Site map
A Guide to the Reptiles &
Amphibians of the United States
Home snakes lizards Turtles turtles salamanders
Snakes of the U.S.
UDG-Banner (55K)
 



Red Tegu Range Map

No Range map available at this time.






Red Tegu Video




Red Tegu Juvenile

Home »» Lizards »» Teiidae (Whiptails & Racerunner Lizards) »» Red Tegu (Salvator rufescens)


Red Tegu (Salvator rufescens)Species of Least Concern





Classification: Introduced Species. It has been introduced to Florida in the United States, although habitat suitability modelling suggests that this arid adapted species is less well-suited to the environment in Florida than other invasive tegus, and the species is not known to have become established.


Description: As hatchlings, most red tegus display little, if any, red coloration. They are typically brownish-green with black strips across their width and several broken white stripes down their length. They develop red coloration as they mature; males are usually brighter than females. Adult females can reach just under 3 feet in length. Males are significantly larger, reaching up to 4.5 feet and developing large jowls.


Habitat: In the wild, red tegus are diurnal and terrestrial. Living in a temperate climate in Argentina, they brumate in the winter, burying themselves and remaining largely dormant during the coldest periods, in some areas for up to seven months. They also burrow as a matter of habit at other times of year. In the ecotone between the arid Chaco and the Espinal of central Argentina they are known to naturally hybridise with the Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) with a stable hybrid zone.


Range: This species occurs in western and central Argentina, southeastern Bolivia and northwestern Paraguay


Found in these States: FL


Diet: The red tegu is a very opportunistic feeder. Wild specimens will eat a variety of plant and animal matter: fruits, vegetables, insects, rodents, birds, and fish. Red tegus raised in captivity will often be more picky eaters, especially as juveniles, and may prefer a diet of mostly meat. Being omnivores, red tegus will eat a diverse range of foods, with a focus on animal protein, including small to medium rodents, birds, many insects, and any dead animal they can scavenge.


Reproduction: Before going for hibernation, red tegu lizards engage in mating, after which the females start laying eggs. Two weeks after they wake up from hibernation, the process of mating begins again, and this process continues. The mother red tegu lays between 12 and 30 leathery eggs in its nest. They have also been observed hiding their eggs inside termite mounds. This helps the eggs remain in optimal temperature and get enough humidity for development. The eggs will hatch after 45 to 60 days, while the baby red tegus remain under the care of the mother until they are matured enough to forage for themselves.


Status: Listed as Least Concern on the basis that this species is very widespread, exhibits a high reproductive rate which has historically rendered it resistant to harvesting pressure, and although deforestation within its range is widespread it can apparently persist within largely degraded areas so long as some suitable vegetation remains. Nevertheless the true population status of this lizard is unclear, and conversion of forest into monocultures within which this species will not persist is widespread and increasing within its range (although not at a rate likely to approach 30% over three generations in this disturbance-tolerant species). Although this species is not thought to be at serious risk of extinction, it may be of conservation concern and further research, including systematic monitoring of subpopulations, is strongly recommended.


Taxonomy:

»» Kingdom: Animalia - Animals
   »» Phylum: Chordata - Chordates
     »» Subphylum: Vertebrata - Vertebrates
       »» Class: Reptilia - Reptiles
         »» Order: Squamata - Lizards
           »» Family: Teiidae - Whiptails & Racerunner Lizards
             »» Genus: Salvator
               »» Species: Salvator rufescens - Red Tegu

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Red Tegu", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Content may have been omitted from the original, but no content has been changed or extended.

 

 

 

 


Recommended Books at Amazon.com


Handbook of Lizards: Lizards of the United States and of Canada     Lizards of the World: A Guide to Every Family     Texas Lizards: A Field Guide     National Geographic Readers: Lizards



DISCLAIMER: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.

 

 
 

Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
Copyright © 2008 - Herpedia™.com