BLACK TEGU Salvator merianae
One of the big reptiles that will undoubtedly catch your eye is the Black Tegu. You may intially mistake it for an Iguana, or perhaps even an African Monitor Lizard, but in fact it is neither, belong to a large family of terrestrial lizards known as Teiids. The Black Tegu is an omnivore, taking both plant and animal matter, and especially fond of birds eggs! They appear to hibernate for at least part of the winter, emerging again in September. You may see them lying out on exposed rocks warming themselves up to get the energy for the days foraging.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPREP752PH) Lateral view of adult, Mbaracayś Biosphere Reserve, Departamento Canindeyś (Paul Smith October 2012 ).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP141PH) Lateral view of adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith February 2006 ).
FIGURE 3 - (FPREP142PH) Head detail of same individual (Paul Smith February 2006).
FIGURE 4 - (FPREP143PH) Adult dorsal view stained red by soil, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (PROCOSARA Archive).
FIGURE 5 - (FPREP144PH) Adult open mouth detail, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Flavia Netto October 2008)
FIGURE 6 - (FPREP145PH) Same individual ventral side, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Flavia Netto October 2008)
FIGURE 7 - (FPREP146PH) Dorsal view of juvenile, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Chris Elder December 2007).
FIGURE 8 - (FPREP147PH) Head detail of same individual (Chris Elder December 2007).
FIGURE 9 - (FPREP148PH) Lateral view of juvenile, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith February 2006).
FIGURE 10 - (FPREP149PH) Dorsal view of same individual (Paul Smith February 2006).
FIGURE 11 - (FPREP150PH) Shed tail, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Flavia Netto October 2008)
FIGURE 12 - (FPREP151PH) Hunter“s remains of forefoot dorsal, Ruta Trans Chaco km350, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2008)
FIGURE 13 - (FPREP152PH) Ventral side of same foot (Paul Smith October 2008)
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Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Paul Smith, Chris Elder and Flavia Netto and are used with their permission.