Tegus Whiptail Lizards and Relatives: Teiidae

Whiptail lizards, tegus, and other members of this family tend to live in places that have some open areas where they can sunbathe, or bask. Even those that live in seemingly thick forests can find many openings in the tree cover and sit where the sunshine warms the ground. Usually, the larger species tend to make their homes in shadier habitats, while their young and the smaller species live in the sunniest, most open areas. When they aren't basking or looking for food, most species stay underground in burrows. Many make their own burrows, but some move into other animals' burrows instead. A few species live near streams and wetlands and often go for a swim. The Paraguayan caiman lizard, for instance, is an excellent swimmer that glides through the water with its powerful tail.