THE LIZARDS 171 



States, throughout Mexico, Central America, South 

 America and the West Indies. More than a hundred 

 species are recognized. 



The largest species of this family, three in number, 

 compose the genus Tupinambis. They are popularly 

 known as Tegus. The body and the round tail are 

 covered with small square scales arranged in regular 

 rings. On the head are very large, symmetrical shields. 

 All of the species are similarly marked — black, with yel- 

 low or white crossing the back in bands. Their habitat 

 is tropical America. 



Tegus display a marked liking for clearings. They 

 are carnivorous, and swift runners. In the farming 

 country they are an actual pest, repeatedly devouring 

 young chickens and constantly eluding capture unless 

 a dog is trained for the purpose or they are awaited 

 with a gun. In many parts of South America they are 

 hunted for their flesh, which is alleged to be tender and 

 excellent eating. Largest of the species is the Com- 

 mon Tegu, T. teguixin. A fine example has lived for 

 five j^ears in the Reptile House of the New York Zoolog- 

 ical Park. This specimen is exactly four feet long; 

 the head and body measure eighteen inches; the head 

 terminates in big pouches or jowls like that of an old 

 crocodilian and, measured across these jowls, is six 

 inches wide. 



The big specimen described is strongly marked with 

 marble white on a dull black body. Its jaws are won- 

 derfully strong, breaking hens' eggs or ducks' eggs at 

 a single, nonchalant effort, when the contents are lapped 

 up by means of the long, forked tongue. This lizard's 

 favorite food consists of strips of raw beef mixed with 

 beaten egg. It begins a meal by nosing about for the 

 pieces of meat; after having consumed the last frag- 



