Silly question.But please help

[SterlingAce]

Hi I'm still a bit of a noob with tegus but trying my best to learn as much as I can. I must admit I am very embarressed to be asking this question because 1 I should have know the answer before I bought him,2 everybody else seems to know exactly how to figure it out.
So here is my question,is my new tegu a columbian or argentine black and white?
Sorry again for the stupid question and thanks for the patients :s

 

[Grendel]

Looks like an argentine BW, two scales between nose and eye. Don't feel bad , a prominent reptile store in my area was selling Colombians labeled as argentine, untill I pointed it out to them.

 

[SterlingAce]

Thank you very much.

 

[m3s4]

Yep, Argentine Black and White.

If you don't mine me asking, how much did you pay for him?

 

[TeguBuzz]

Definitely an argentine.

 

[SterlingAce]

I'm not sure what the exchange rate is but I got him and his cage for R2000. How doe you tell the difference between them?

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

You have a B&W, some of which only have one loreal scale the same as Colombians. A few characteristics to look for between the two is their head, scales and pattern.

By head I mean the coloration and pattern of scales on tegu species other than Teguixin (Colombian and Gold) is pretty solid. Not blotchy and spotted like Colombians. The scales are usually one color black, white red or what ever if it changes it's usually in between the scales with most tegus. But with Colombians it's usually yellow or white with patches in the scale. To a point where they can look like leopard or cheetah patterns.

Scales; Black and whites feel beady and bumpy compared to smooth Colombian scales.

Pattern; B&W have a line of spots (sometimes stripes) along each side of their body that can run the length of it from their head to their tail. Some Colombians have it as well but it's not as dominant and can be harder to see because of their pattern. The same goes for vertical stripes across their back, it's easier to see on Black and whites than Colombians. Over time the pattern changes and on Colombians it usually breaks up more than B&Ws.

I know there was a comparison guide on here but I can't find it so here's the one from thetegu site.

http://www.thetegu.com/showthread.php?7290-Visual-Differences-Colombian-vs-Argentine

 

[SterlingAce]

Thanks I think I get it now.

 

[laurarfl]

Don't feel embarrassed. It takes a bit to learn and always better to ask questions.

 

[SterlingAce]

Thank you

 

[dragonmetalhead]

Made the same mistake you did, man. And there was another, properly marked Colombian in the cage next door who was half the price but they wouldn't sell him to me since they said he was insane and would rip my fingers off. They thought Kodo was Argentine based off his color and the fact he was so mellow. Don't hesitate to ask an questions you have; the whole point of this forum is for tegu people to share our thoughts/ideas and help each other out. Welcome.