monitor tegu?

[Solid Snake]

whats the difference between them two? is it because tegus dont have those spots like most monitors do?

[skinheaddave]

A monitor is from the family Varanidae whereas the tegu is from the family Teiidae. Biologically, they are very different beasts. Monitors have forked tongues, tegus have fleshy tongues. Tegus also have belly plates whereas varanids do not. If you look at thier limbs, tegus have sort of iguanid looking hind limbs, whereas monitors have stubbier feet. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

From a practical care standpoint there are a few differences. Tegus are omniverous whereas monitors are carnivorous. I also believe that monitors win out slightly on the intelligence front. That being said, I have limited personal experience with monitors and zip in the way of personal experience with tegus. I also don't feel like pulling out any books right now, so someone else may have to pick up the slack.

Cheers,
Dave

[V.hb]

The way I look at it is this, Tegus- south american monitors. Heheh i know alot of people who study both species would really be angry to see this, but to me they're both big beasts with many similarities.. Different diets, but all in all very similar, just different continents of origin!

[herpetological]

There is a species with the common name of Monitor Tegu(Callopistes Maculatus) Dwarf Tegu. Most are or were imported from Chile. Reach about 2' In regards to the differences between monitors and tegus... much has already been mentioned. Thet are outwardly similar to each other but vary genetically, morphologicaly and different ranges. I do have to point out that although most species of monitor are carnivorous the Gray's Monitor is fruitivorous and they may have found two sub-species that follow the same diet. Very vague but, hope it helps. Thanks Ray G. HBR

[Scales Zoo]

Tegus have split tongues as well.

Ryan

[SHvar]

Monitors are much different. A tegu has a thick fleshy tongue with a tip that slightly splits, a monitor has a long thin split tip tongue like a snake. Tegus have a different body shape, different head shape, much different scales, tegus are omnivorous, monitors are obligate carnivores, tegus have short stubby toes, and both move differently. If you get bit by a tegu and a monitor there is a difference as tegus have sharp teeth that look like glass shards, and monitors have either smooth pointed teeth or in 2 cases serated teeth, as monitors are generalist carnivores with more jaw pressure. Ive bee bit by tegus while wearing loves with no punture or damage to the glove (not alot of jaw pressure). Ive been bit by several monitors with and without gloves, there is a difference, even a small timor hits pretty hard and has a suprising amount of jaw pressure.

[herpetological]

Both tegus and monitors are variable in regards to tongue structure a good "general" rule but varies species/subspecies.
The body structure(skull, vertabral,pelvis etc.) is extremely variable even among monitors. Some monitor species more closely resemble tegus than other Varanus species. Locomotion is even variable as well as muscle structure. Compare Water Monitors to Crocodile Monitors or Cape Monitors to Green Tree Monitors etc. The entire Varanus complex ranges from 14" dwarf species to the true 8-10' giants. Even the "tegus" are variable. Tupinambis or Calliopistes. Jaw pressure can vary according to species, adult size and prey items. I'd have to argue with the statement that they do not have much jaw pressure. I have "blue tegus" that approach 4-41/2'. The males have huge jaws and I've seen them sever the heads of 350 gram rats in a single bite. Luckily all the "tegu" specimens we breed are very good about handling! My big males could easily swallow my open hand. I do have to say that croc monitors can easily rival this. Not to exclude any of the cousins. Both tegus and monitors have much in common. Both species occupy niches easily occupied and dominated by these large lizards. In some areas, particularly island niches, these species serve the same purpose as mammilian counterparts. There is no comparison between small timors and either LARGE tegus or monitors. Any of these over 4' can either go through a glove or cause some very painful/damaging bites. Simply use caution, some common sense and gain a little experience before moving on to larger species such as these. Thanks Ray G. HBR

[SHvar]

Ive been bit by both and theres a big difference. The 4 ft male B&W that bit me with regular leather work gloves did not pierce and I made him release in 5 or so minutes, it felt like a pinch. The Red at 3.5 ft that bit me with regular work gloves didnt pierce and released in under 5 minutes then ran, a pinch again. The 3.5 ft B&W that bit me was with welding gloves and I barely noticed it, I made hime release without much problem.
The monitors that have bitten me over the years have been many and Im proud to say none of my current animals have done this. 5 savannahs all bit hard with or without gloves clamped hard and held on for varying lengths of time. The 3 niles were from small to medium sized and they have a good hard bite also. My timor I gave to my friend got me a few times the first year, that little bugger puts a tegu twice his size to shame. Whitethroats, many bites in years but one required professional care, they bite and crush like a vice, then dont release until they are ready to, I had to resort to a stun gun once to get a 3.5 ft male to release after 5-10 minutes, a small WT at a pet store got me and held for 15+ minutes before we carefully pried him loose under water (he crunched through 1/4 inch of flesh the length of his jaws, there are a few others. The water that got me was between 3.5-4 ft and once without gloves once with, he held on good one time). The point is you look at the 2 tegus and monitors there are meny obvious differences from hatchling through adult. The tongue is much different, the walk is obvoiusly different, the body shape, head shape, teeth, scales, tail, back and front legs, etc etc etc.

Hey I have an email that was sent to me by an individual a year or so ago claiming to be selling captive bred savannahs, I asked for proof, he sent me 2 pictures, one of which I recognized in Daniel Bennetts savannah book as a pic of Frank Retes house and some of his outdoor cages, the other was in one of FRs posts with Goannaranch across the pic. Anybody here know anything about this claim or these pics? Ill see if I can get them off of my CD backups from my old operating system, the desert is clearly visible in the background of these pics but the individual lives in Florida who sent them to me. His adults were also all conveniently dead when I asked for proof also.
A lesson in integrity.. Watch who you believe.
I have a medical record and scars to prove this.

[varanuskomodoen]

The scales on tegus also tend to be more smooth and "glossy".