Critters and Conservation

Meet Señor Lagarto - Columbian Black and Gold Tegu

A fellow animal lover called at the end of June, offering her Tegu for a small rehoming fee.  It turned out, after doing more research, that Señor Lagarto, named after the puppet Melissa uses to teach Spanish to children, is a Columbian black and gold Tegu, not an Argentine black and white Tegu as she was told.  When I thought he was an Argentine Tegu, I was sure he was a sign that Argentina would win the 2010 world cup.  Ironically, two days after I found out he is actually Columbian, Argentina lost to Germany.

He is slightly longer than 3', with his tail accounting for about 2/3 of his total length.  As an adult, he won't gain much more length or weight.  Lizards have either fleshy tongues, like our Blue tongued skink and geckos, or forked tongues, like snakes, as Señor Lagarto does.

Señor Lagarto is available for presentations for participants of school age and up.  He may be pet during shows with less than 20 - 25 participants.