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Definition of black and white tegu
black and white tegu
Plural:black and white tegus
• noun
1
A large, omnivorous species of lizard (Salvator merianae) native to the eastern and central regions of South America, renowned for its unusually high intelligence, partial endothermy, and distinctive black and white banded scales.
Example
"Due to its relatively docile nature and ability to be house-trained, the black and white tegu has become highly sought after in the exotic pet trade."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often referred to specifically as the Argentine black and white tegu, it is frequently distinguished in the pet trade from the closely related Colombian tegu, which tends to be smaller and has a notably different temperament.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Black and white tegu. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/black%20and%20white%20tegu