Buyer question
How long does an Argentine black and white tegu live?
Our Animal Library gives the Argentine black and white tegu a lifespan of 15–20+ years.
Source: the Argentine black and white tegu page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Argentine black and white tegu in the Animal Library
The detail
The Argentine black and white tegu is a large South American lizard known for becoming tame and dog-like with daily handling. It brumates through winter and grows to four feet or more, so it needs a big enclosure and a long commitment.
- Origin
- Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil
- Best fit
- Experienced keepers with room and time
What to weigh
A strong, long-lived lizard that needs an 8-foot enclosure and daily attention to stay tame. Legal limits are tightening in some states.