Georgia wants residents to keep their eyes peeled and report sightings of an invasive species of massive lizards.
This is the fourth year in a row the state has requested the public’s help locating and removing a wild population of Argentine black-and-white tegus that can grow as long as 4 feet and weigh more than 10 pounds and “can live almost anywhere and eat almost anything,” the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.
“We are focusing our efforts to accomplish two goals: document the extent of where tegus occur in the wilds of southeast Georgia and remove those animals as soon as we can after they are detected,” said Daniel Sollenberger, a senior wildlife biologist for the department. “With area residents, hunters and other folks helping us keep an eye out for and controlling tegus, we are cautiously optimistic we can control this population.”
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The South American lizards are popular pets but “spell trouble” in the wild because of their ability to survive in almost any climate and live on any kind of diet. Their presence poses a “significant threat to native wildlife,” as they eat eggs, ground-nesting birds, and gopher tortoises.
Besides feasting on wildlife, there is a concern the exotic parasites tegus carry could spread to wildlife and crops.
The species has been gaining a foothold in the state since 2018, though it’s not known how they first arrived.
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Residents are encouraged to snap photos if they see the lizards in the wild, either alive or dead, and send them to the agency. As a nonnative species, the lizards can be trapped or killed on private property with the landowner’s permission.
Bordering states Florida and South Carolina have reported their own tegus sightings.
