Argentine Black-and-white Tegu in the Iberá Wetlands: where…

Known locally as iguana overa. Its massive body is covered with a beautiful scaly pattern of jet-black with white and yellowish transverse bands and spots. Adult males develop prominent muscular folds on the sides of the neck. The long, muscular tail accounts for more than 60% of the total length and is used as a defensive whip. Previously classified as Tupinambis merianae. Total length: 1.10 to 1.40 m. Weight: 3.5 to 6 kg.

Behaviour

An opportunistic omnivore and tireless walker, with an ultra-developed sense of smell that it deploys with its forked tongue. It eats fallen fruit, large insects, snails, small rodents, lizards and is a great scavenger of carrion. It raids nests with enthusiasm, devouring the eggs of birds and caimans. It hibernates in underground burrows from May to August, disappearing completely from the landscape.

How and when to see it

Exclusively from spring to summer (September to April). Extremely tame: it is seen roaming the campsites, the pedestrian walkways and the sunny edges of the internal roads in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Where to see it in the Iberá

The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where argentine black-and-white tegu has confirmed presence:

Laguna IberáSee the gateway → CambyretáSee the gateway → San NicolásSee the gateway → CarambolaSee the gateway →

Tours to see it

Verified providers operating at the gateways where argentine black-and-white tegu lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.

Species profile

Common nameArgentine Black-and-white Tegu
Scientific nameSalvator merianae
GroupReptile
StatusNative

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