Red tegu: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Reptiles described in 1871]] |
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1871]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Albert Günther]] |
[[Category:Taxa named by Albert Günther]] |
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==Additional Questions and Comments== |
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This entry does not discuss conservation such as habitat loss, lizards as a measure of ecosystem. health, and conservation efforts in general- all of which are integral for understanding a species. Additionally, the entry does not discuss population structure, phylogeny, and speciation nor how it relates to mating, parental care, social behavior, enemies, or physiology. It would be great if these concepts could be added! ((Comment written by Eliyamak)) |
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Revision as of 21:00, 21 September 2021
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2012) |
| Red tegu | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Salvator |
| Species: | S. rufescens
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| Binomial name | |
| Salvator rufescens (Günther, 1871)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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The red tegu (Salvator rufescens) is a lizard native to western Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. It is sold in the pet trade around the world because of its relatively docile nature and because it is comparatively easy to keep.
Habits and 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.[2]
Growth
The red tegu grows rapidly, typically reaching maturity in two to three years. It is not uncommon for well-fed juveniles to experience growth spurts of more than an inch per week.
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.
Appearance
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.[3][4] Adult females can reach 91 cm (just under 3 ft) in length. Males are significantly larger, reaching up to 140 cm (4.5 ft) and developing large jowls.
Captivity
These reptiles are common in the pet trade. They can be trained with "clickers" and are known for following their owners around the house "like a dog". MacGyver the Lizard is a famous YouTube channel focused on one such red tegu.
References
- ^ Salvator rufescens at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2018-10-25.
- ^ Cabaña, Imanol; Chiaraviglio, Margarita; Di Cola, Valeria; Guisan, Antoine; Broennimann, Olivier; Gardenal, Cristina N.; Rivera, Paula C. (2020). "Hybridization and hybrid zone stability between two lizards explained by population genetics and niche quantification". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 190 (2): 757–769. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa018.
- ^ Bartlett, R., & Bartlett, P. (1996). Monitors, Tegus, and Related Lizards. Barron’s Educational Series.
- ^ Pianka, E. R. (2006). Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity. University of California Press.
Additional Questions and Comments
This entry does not discuss conservation such as habitat loss, lizards as a measure of ecosystem. health, and conservation efforts in general- all of which are integral for understanding a species. Additionally, the entry does not discuss population structure, phylogeny, and speciation nor how it relates to mating, parental care, social behavior, enemies, or physiology. It would be great if these concepts could be added! ((Comment written by Eliyamak))