Teiidae is a family of Lacertoidean lizards native to the Americas. Members of this family are generally known as whiptails or racerunners; however, tegus also belong to this family. Teiidae is sister to the Gymnopthalmidae, and both families comprise the Teiioidea. The Teiidae includes several parthenogenic species

Teiids are strictly New World lizards, distributed from the northern United States and through Mexico, Central America, and South America, except the extreme southern cone beyond approximately 45° latitude. Teiids, especially Ameiva and Cnemidophorus occur on many Caribbean islands.

The lizard family Teiidae, though represented in the United States by the racerunners and whiptails of the genus Cnemidophorus, is primarily tropical, and its area of greatest biological diversity begins in Central America with the large, conspicuous, and active ameivas (Ameiva). The Gymnophthalmidae (or microteiids), close relatives of…

Teiidae is a family of autarchoglossan lizards native to the Americas. Members of this family are generally known as whiptails or racerunners; however, tegus also belong to this family. Teiidae is sister to the Gymnopthalmidae, and both families comprise the Teiioidea.

The whiptail lizards, tegus, and other members of this family have long, thin bodies with long legs and narrow heads with noticeable eyes and long, forked tongues. Their tails often stretch one-and-a-half times as long as the rest of their bodies and sometimes more.

Tupinambis is a lizard genus which belongs to the family Teiidae and contains eight described species. These large lizards are commonly referred to as tegus (teiús in Portuguese). T. merianae (Argentine black and white tegu), T. rufescens (red tegu), and T. teguixin (gold tegu) are popular in the pet trade.

Known for their speed, agility, and vibrant patterns, Teiidae lizards are a fascinating family of reptiles that thrive in a variety of habitats. Teiidae lizards vary greatly in size, coloration, and pattern, but they share some common characteristics.

The family Teiidae is comprised of 40 genera (including both macro and microteiids, which are sometimes considered separate families) and around 245 species (again for both macro and microteiids) that range from North, Central, and South America (Pough et al. 1998).

Teiidae is a family of autarchoglossan lizards native to the Americas. Members of this family are generally known as whiptails or racerunners; however, tegus also belong to this family. Teiidae is sister to the Gymnopthalmidae, and both families comprise the Teiioidea.

The correct authorship and date of lizard names Teiinae, Tupinambinae, and Gymnophthalmidae. Zootaxa 4132 (2): 295–300. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4132.2.13. Reference page. Harvey, M.B., Ugueto, G.N. & Gutberlet, Jr., R.L. 2012. Review of teiid morphology with a revised taxonomy and phylogeny of the Teiidae (Lepidosauria: Squamata).