Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae)

Short answers

Argentine black and white tegu: How big does the enclosure need to be?

300 x 180 x 160 cm (adult), at least 35 cm of digging substrate.

Argentine black and white tegu: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C (local basking spot), at night 20–22 °C.

Argentine black and white tegu: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10–12%, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot).

Argentine black and white tegu: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Argentine black and white tegu: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C (local basking spot)

Humidity

60–80 % during the day, rising to 80–90 % at night

UVB

Essential (UVB 10–12%, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

300 x 180 x 160 cm (adult), at least 35 cm of digging substrate

Substrate

A deep soil and sand mix they can dig in (at least 35 cm) plus a large bath

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: insects, rodents, chicks, fish, eggs, fruit

Feeding interval

juveniles daily, adults 2–3×/week, with variety

Key facts

Adult size

120–170 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Brazil)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

Winter dormancy 4–6 months at 12–15 °C (necessary for health and breeding)

Cohabitation

Keeping a single animal is the safe route; a permanent male–female pair is not recommended, because the male harasses the female outside the breeding season too, which causes constant stress. Two males are the riskiest combination: they often fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner; some keepers still house them together in an enclosure twice the size, but only with the option to separate them. Two females usually get along, but each needs her own basking and hiding spots and a correspondingly larger enclosure; feed separately if they differ in size. Animals are only put together under supervision and temporarily for breeding.

Notes

A very large, intelligent omnivore with an enormous space and digging requirement. The winter rest of several months is essential for its hormones and health.

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Related species

• Yellow tegu (Salvator dracaena) – Intermediate
• Red tegu (Salvator rufescens) – Intermediate
• Red tegu (Salvator duseni) – Intermediate
• Chilean dwarf tegu (Callopistes maculatus) – Intermediate
• Golden tegu (Tupinambis cryptus) – Intermediate
• Golden tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) – Intermediate
• Caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis) – Expert
• Crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (300 x 180 x 160 cm (adult), at least 35 cm of digging substrate), substrate (A deep soil and sand mix they can dig in (at least 35 cm) plus a large bath), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.