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Argentine black and white tegu

Salvator merianae · Lizards · Reptiles

Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae): Large lizard reaching nearly 5 ft. Mottled black and white, often arranged in bands across the back and tail. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the argentine black and white tegu map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Argentine black and white tegu in green grass
Adobe Stock · Standard License (asset 1112753516)
Scientific name
Salvator merianae
Family
Teiidae
In North America
Introduced
Range
Native to Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Argentina. Breeding populations in Florida (Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Charlotte counties per FWC); NatureServe lists Florida and Georgia as established and possibly South Carolina. Not native to Canada.
Biology

How to identify it

Large lizard reaching nearly 5 ft. [1][2]

Mottled black and white, often arranged in bands across the back and tail. [1][2]

Hatchlings have similar markings and bright green heads; the green fades after about one month. [1][2]

Field knowledge

Where it lives

Savannas and disturbed habitats such as forest clearings, roadsides and fence rows; tolerates flooded marshes. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Terrestrial, rarely climbs more than a few feet, strong swimmer [1][2]

Retreats into burrows for winter brumation; in south Florida emerges from about February [1][2]

Omnivore and efficient egg predator of ground-nesting birds and reptiles [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for removal or nuisance take

These authorities list this species as nuisance, invasive or unprotected wildlife that may be taken. This is not a game season.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Native to Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Argentina. Breeding populations in Florida (Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Charlotte counties per FWC); NatureServe lists Florida and Georgia as established and possibly South Carolina. Not native to Canada.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · reviewed 2026-09-30

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  2. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe