If you are the keeper of this tegu or know the rightful keeper, contact Santa Clara County Animal Services at (408) 686-3900.
An Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) was spotted on a dam at California’s Grant Lake in Santa Clara County and was safely captured by maintenance staff and park rangers. The seemingly healthy reptile will be held at Santa Clara County Animal Services until its rightful owner claims it, Santa Clara County Parks wrote on its Facebook page. If the owner does not step forward, the lizard will be adopted out.
The comments on the Santa Clara County Parks Facebook page ranged from the mundane to wild, with one commenter saying “I have never seen one. Who would have this as a domesticated pet?! Whoever did probanly bought illegally from someone and freaked out and let it loose when it got so large!! I think it should go to a wildlife sanctuary not be adopted by someone. I’m a big animal advocate and lover.”
Another commenter responded with “They’re completely legal, and they make very happy and affectionate pets. It’s unlikely it was abandoned. They do occasionally get out, just like all pets. They enjoy outdoor time in safely enclosed yards, but people sometimes underestimate their digging capabilities and speed. He probably just dug under a fence and went walkabout. Same way many dogs go missing.”
If you are the keeper of this tegu or know the rightful keeper, contact Santa Clara County Animal Services at (408) 686-3900 or via email at AnimalServices@cep.sccgov.org. They would love for it to be reunited with its keeper.
Black and White Tegu Information
The Argentine black and white tegu is popular with expert reptile keepers. They are not for beginners. These omnivorous lizards grow about 2.5 to 4 feet in length and can live up to 20 years. They are native to Central and South America and sort of look like monitor lizards. Although not overly aggressive, tegus do have sharp teeth and strong jaws and claws. They are omnivores and eat all kinds of eggs, pet food, small mammals, insects, other reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
