Researchers have sequenced the genome of the tegu, Salvator merianae: a lizard that has taken an evolutionary step toward warm-bloodedness. It is also a highly desired pet, that can often be house-trained; unfortunately, as part of the exotic pet trade, it has been released in new environments and become a threat to local species. This extremely high-quality tegu genome sequence will be of use to researchers in the fields of evolution, physiology and ecology.