Red tegu
| Red tegu | ||||||||||||
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Red Tegu ( Salvator rufescens ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Salvator Rufescens | ||||||||||||
| ( Günther , 1871) |
The Red Teju ( Salvator rufescens , Syn .: Tupinambis rufescens ) belongs to the family of the rail lizards (Teiidae) within the order of the scalloped reptiles (Squamata ).
description
The Rote Teju reaches a length of up to 135 cm and a weight of up to 10 kg. Its reddish-black shimmering skin is criss-crossed with lighter and darker transverse bands. This reddish color gave it its name. In contrast to the Goldteju ( Tupinambis teguixin ), the Red Tejus appear stocky and therefore even more bizarre. It has a powerful tail that it uses as a weapon against enemies. Some features of the Teju, such as the long snout and the forked tongue, suggest a relationship with the monitor lizards, which, however, is not given. His strong extremities end in sharp and strong claws , which he uses to climb and break open termite structures . Depending on the area of distribution, it hibernates for two to four months. The Rote Teju has a life expectancy of up to eleven years.
distribution
Its natural range extends over large parts of South America . It is particularly widespread in Argentina , Paraguay , Brazil and Bolivia . It is at home in the tropical rainforest as well as in savannahs and open grasslands and is mostly found in the undergrowth .
food
The Rote Teju has a wide range of foods . In addition to insects , amphibians and small lizards , it also eats fruit . But eggs and carrion are also gladly accepted. He has been observed to forage primarily in the early hours of the morning. He grabs larger prey with a strong bite , shakes them until they are dead, and tears them into bite-sized pieces. If the prey is bite-sized, it is devoured whole.
Reproduction
Red Tejus lay their eggs in termite burrows . They tear open the structures with their claws and lay their 5 to 30 eggs there. The termites quickly close the gap in the building. After around 150 days, the young hatch and break open the termite structure from within. The Tejus do not practice brood care .