Housing. Life spans of 15 years or more can be expected with this species given that close attention is paid to diet and other basic husbandry considerations. A tegu can look healthy on the outside, but you don't always know what's going on inside. Tegus are dog-sized and intelligent, they eat a variety of food, and have become increasingly popular in the United States. Argentine Tegus of the genus Salvator are large lizards that hail from South America; they can grow up to 60” and live 15-25 years in captivity. Omnivorous tegus are voracious eaters. The Argentine tegu is a very adaptable creature, for good and for ill. For some pet owners, the Argentine tegu checks off a number of notable boxes. Enclosure size is determined by total length of a large lizard, but bigger is always better for this active animal. In captivity, with proper diet and care, they can live even longer. After mating females start building nests in which they lay up to 30 eggs. Tegus are active in the daytime, roaming their enclosures and digging in the substrate. Tegus can live to be 12-20 years old in captivity. Now it's 11-12 years if kept properly, but people still lose them at 4-5 years if kept poorly. It is native to South America, specifically to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Young Argentine Tegus are green with black markings, and the green eventually fades to white over the first few months of its life. Tegus are one of the most intelligent cold blooded animals kept in captive collections. The most important thing to consider is the sheer size of an Argentine tegu. The Argentinian black and white tegu is the largest tegu in existence. Argentine Black and White Tegus can live 15 years in captivity. Raw eggs, chicks, or other small animals can supplement the diet. In the wild, the average lifespan of an Argentine tegu is 15 to 20 years. Lifespan – Like many reptiles, tegus are a long-term commitment. The breeding season for Argentine black and white tegus starts in spring, right after hibernation. In captivity, domestic rodents can provide the bulk of the black and white tegu’s diet. Tegu Life Span. Males can reach 4 to 4 ½ ft in length, while females tend to average out at about 3 ft. Substrate and water needs: In their natural habitat, these tegus spend much of their time in burrows, and their bodies are designed for digging and burrowing. Tegu females are very protective of their nests and will attack any predator. Tegus are relatively new and more is being learned every year. When I first started keeping beardies, the lifespan in captivity was about 5 years. Prey is subdued in the black and white tegu’s powerful jaws until all struggling ceases. Black and white Argentine Tegu for sale Temperament and Handling They can live up to 20 years in captivity, provided they are properly cared for. 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