These tegus can hibernate. The life cycle of the Argentine black and white tegu in my outdoor enclosure has been extremely interesting to observe. In the middle of August, when it is still hot here in Alabama, they start to refuse food and begin preparing their burrows for hibernation. They tend to all dig and prepare one large sleeping chamber. In the middle of September, they are all inside that chamber despite temperatures of 80 to 90 F during the day. The tegus close the burrow from the inside with earth. Any time during the winter when I open this to check it, they closed it again with earth afterwards. They stay in this burrow or chamber for 6 months to emerge again, covered by dirt and mud, in mid-March. It is not until April that they resume feeding. They have a 4 month activity burst in April, May, June, and July. During this time, they eat all they can find and catch.

Scientific Differences Between Argentine and Columbian Tegus Tameness of Tegus Range and Climate Housing the Argentine Black and White Tegu Outdoors Housing the Argentine Black and White Tegu Inside Diet of the Argentine Black and White Tegu Tegu Hibernation Tegu Reproduction Tegu Nest Building The Tegus at Agama International