What is "tegu"

n. A South American lizard of the genus (taxlink Tupinambis genus noshow=1), which is sometimes kept as a pet.

Tegu is a toy company based in Honduras and the United States that sells magnetic wooden toy blocks. The company was founded in 2006 by Chris Haughey and Will Haughey. The company aims to help Honduras through positive employment opportunities, tree-planting efforts, and by funding days of school.

Founders

Chris Haughey, Will Haughey

Type

Magnetic Wooden Toy Company

Founded

2006

Headquarters

Rowayton, Connecticut, United States and Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Website

www.tegu.com

A tegu is a member of a number of lizard species that belong to the family Teiidae. Tegus are native to Central and South America. They occupy a variety of habitats and are known for their large size and predatory habits.

Although they resemble monitor lizards, they are only distantly related to them; the similarities are a result of convergent evolution.

Some species are of economic importance as food and pets.

Some species have become invasive species in regions of South Florida.

Not all lizards known as tegus belong to the same genus. The word "tegu" may refer to any of the following genera:

• Callopistes "dwarf tegus" (2 species)
• Crocodilurus "crocodile tegus" (1 species)
• Dicrodon "desert tegus" (3 species)
• Dracaena "caiman lizards" also known as "caiman tegus" (2 species)
• Teius "Four-toed Tegu" (3 species)
• Tupinambis/ Salvator "giant tegus" (7 species, paraphyletic group)