A reddish Argentine tegu with its head and forelimb visible on the ground.
Attributed biological photograph

A reddish Argentine tegu with its head and forelimb visible on the ground.

Holger Braun; CC BY 4.0. · CC BY 4.0 · Image source

Argentine red tegu photographed in Argentina.

Overview

It has a broad head, short strong limbs, and reddish colouring crossed by irregular dark bands. Scale counts vary among individuals and regions, which weakens some proposed diagnostic differences from related tegus.

Argentine records cover the Chaco and the western provinces, and taxonomic listings add Paraguay and Bolivia. Documented localities should be kept separate from broader predicted ranges.

A 2016 study of captive females found that estradiol was high at the end of hibernation, fell before ovulation, and rose after laying. Progesterone followed an opposite pattern. Females attending eggs had higher levels of both hormones. The authors linked this to maternal behaviour while noting their small sample.

Broad headShort strong limbsReddish colour with dark transverse markings
01

Origins & earliest records

Reptile Database records Teius rufescens Günther, 1871. SIB retains Tupinambis rufescens as a synonym; generic transfers do not date evolutionary origin.

02

Evidence & interpretation

Government account, taxonomic database and captive endocrine study.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Plasmatic Estradiol and Progesterone Variations During the Reproductive Cycle of Captive Female Argentine Red Tegu Lizards, Tupinambis rufescens

    García-Valdez, Chamut, Jahn, Arce and Manes · 2016

    Selected bibliography; published 16 December 2016.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Order and family follow SIB; subfamily follows Reptile Database.

  1. OrderSquamata
  2. FamilyTeiidae
  3. SubfamilyTupinambinae

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Government biodiversity accountRed tegu: Argentine biodiversity accountResearch access: 2026-10-07
  2. Primary research articleGarcía-Valdez et al.: captive tegu hormones (2016)Research access: 2026-10-07
  3. Taxonomic databaseRed tegu: Reptile DatabaseResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

Attributed biological photograph

A reddish Argentine tegu with its head and forelimb visible on the ground.

Holger Braun; CC BY 4.0. · CC BY 4.0 · Image source

Argentine red tegu photographed in Argentina.

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