Tegus, Salvator merianae, aren’t super common in the pet reptile industry, but they aren’t rare either.
Plus there has been a growing problem lately in parts of Georgia and Florida where they are a non-native, invasive species. As such, they are coming in contact with humans more and more frequently.
That being said, I am often asked by both potential tegu owners as well as people who live in areas where these lizards are now being found, whether or not tegus are dangerous.
Are tegus dangerous? Whether as a pet, or in the wild, tegus are not dangerous to humans. They measure an average of three feet including their tail and are not known for attacking anything bigger than their actual body. They will defend themselves if they feel threatened however, which could result in a bite or a slap from their whip like tail causing minor injuries.
How Dangerous Is A Tegu’s Bite?
The first thing most people worry about when encountering a reptile is being bitten
How dangerous is a tegu’s bite? Surprisingly enough, the average tegu bite isn’t as bad as the average dog bite. The biggest difference is in the size of these teeth. Tegus only grow a few feet long so their mouths aren’t very big, and neither are their teeth. You’re more likely to sustain a deep gash rough housing with a puppy than you are from a tegu bite.
Tegus have sharp, fang like teeth in the front of their mouth. Their back teeth however, are flatter and more square. Better for chewing up plant material. They are omnivores who eat mostly insects, eggs, rodents and birds in addition to fruits and veggies.
Bad bites from tegus are possible though.
I’ve seen some pretty nasty ones, but that’s typically from people trying to handle a wild tegu that is displaying clear warning signs to stay away. And even those bites are pretty rare.
Is A Tegu’s Tail Dangerous?
A tegus first line of defense is usually to strike with their tail.
That being said, their tail is only a foot or two long, and can’t do any serious or lasting damage. It might sting a bit and maybe even leave a welt or bruise, but it’s not going to be enough to break bones or cause a deep gash.
The worst is usually when you are holding one, and it’s wriggling around, trying to get free. A solid slap to the face is enough to bring a tear to your eye!
Are Tegus A Danger To Your Pets?
This all depends on what pets you have.
Dogs and cats should be fine. Puppies and kittens, even if their small breeds such as chihuahuas, aren’t in any danger of being attacked or eaten by this lizard either.
Of course they may get a bite or tail slap if they walk up to sniff it, but generally speaking they aren’t in any real danger.
Tegus can definitely be dangerous to pets like rodents or birds.
Small pets like mice, hamsters, gerbils and most birds are on the menu! I wouldn’t even keep them in the same house together. The tegu will smell food!
You might want to be cautious with Guinea pigs too. They’re usually too big for a tegu to try and eat, but if it’s hungry enough, it just might try. I know there are Guinea pig owners who like to take their pet outside. Be careful if you live in places like Florida or Georgia where wild tegus are becoming an issue.
Are Tegus Safe To Handle?
I would recommend you refrain from handling a tegu that is wild.
Even though they are not native to the U.S., they are here and they are breeding. This makes any tegu you see outside, a wild reptile. They aren’t captive, and they aren’t accustomed to human handling.
Are tegus safe to handle? Tegus are typically safe to handle as pets, but you should not attempt to pick up a wild tegu unless you are experienced with handling lizards and reptiles. Captive tegus are generally calm and docile. Wild tegus on the other hand, do not like to be handled and will defend themselves by biting, scratching and whipping with their tail.
I’ve said throughout this article that tegus are not very dangerous, but this doesn’t mean I want to get bitten by one by trying to pick it up.
You still run the risk of infection if you are ever bitten by any animal. Additionally, tegus are known to carry salmonella. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling any reptile!
They’re bigger than most beginner lizards like leopard geckos or bearded dragons, and require better care. A sick reptile can often lead to an aggressive one, so I would recommend getting some experience with smaller ones first.
Are Tegus Safe To Keep As Pets?
Despite the many fears of them running wild in the U.S., tegus make excellent pet reptiles in my opinion.
As I said in the last section, they may not be the best suited for beginners. They require a much larger enclosure than smaller lizards. Something around 6′ x 3′ is ideal, which will usually need to be custom made.
They also have stricter care requirements such as humidity levels around 75-90%. Their diet is broader than many lizards, but this also means more care and attention needs to be given to meeting their nutritional requirements.
For those people willing to learn a tegu’s needs, and put in the extra effort to meet them, you’ll find an amazing pet reptile.
They are extremely intelligent, almost to the point of being like a dog.
When raised from a hatchling, they are friendly, docile, and loyal to their owner. Tegus raised in captivity enjoy affection and will even seek you out for attention.
A truly great pet!
Are You In Danger Of Catching A Disease From A Tegu?
Reptiles, including tegus, do not get or carry many diseases such as rabies.
The biggest risk you would face would be if you handle one, and then fail to wash your hands.
Many reptiles, especially captive ones, have salmonella and other dangerous bacteria in their stool. Since their bodies and tail often drag the ground, they naturally get some of their stool on themselves after they do their business.
When you handle a reptile, you are always at risk of getting bad bacteria on your hands, clothes or body.
Always wash your hands after handling any reptile.
Are There Any Other Dangers From Tegus?
The biggest danger from tegus is to the ecosystem.
These lizards are not native to the U.S., but they are thriving in some places. Conservation officers are doing all they can to remove them from the wild, but they are on the verge of multiplying faster than can be managed.
They eat eggs, and so are a threat to any native egg laying animals. Plus they are an additional predator competing with other predators for their food sources.
The everglades specifically is already under threat from the Burmese python, and tegus may pose an even bigger threat.
They are much more resilient in cold weather.
This means when it gets cold enough to kill many other non-native reptiles, the tegu has a better chance at survival. It also means they can move further north and still thrive.
Summary
At the end of the day, tegus are not dangerous to you or most pets.
Admittedly, they are starting to become a nuisance to some residents of Florida and Georgia. As omnivores, they are attracted to trash and all of the other things that go along with it, like rats and mice.
This naturally brings them closer to human environments where it’s easier to find a meal.
There have been no reports however, of anyone being attacked or seriously injured.
They are calm and docile as pets, and pose a bare minimum risk to their owners if raised properly. They enjoy human interaction, and rarely become defensive unless sick or truly scared.
Again, the biggest danger lies in the threat they pose to the delicate balance of our ecosystem. This is true of all non-native animals from Asian carp to African bees.
The usgs.gov website describes them as dangerous to the ecosystem, but does not list any attacks or threats to humans.
Remove them from the wild if you find one, and be a responsible pet owner if you ever decide to purchase one.