Have you seen one of these ‘dog-sized’ lizards yet? They’ve been spotted in Georgia
Giant invasive lizards are making their way across the south according to multiple news outlets and wildlife experts.
The New York Post reported that “Over 100 invasive lizards the size of dogs” have been seen in South Carolina and although they’ve been around since 2020, their population has been steadily growing, wreaking havoc across southern ecosystems.
They have even been causing chaos in Georgia for a while now.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Wildlife Resources Division), the lizard is called the Argentine Black and White Tegus Lizard and although it is native to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, it has been spotted in two Georgia counties (Toombs and Tattnall) since 2018.
So how exactly did it get here? And what should Georgians do if they see one? Here’s what to know:
How did the giant exotic lizard get here?
The Tegus lizard could be kept as a pet in Georgia until Dec. 2023. Since then, the lizards have been on the state’s wild animal list.
Although the DNR isn’t 100% sure, the wildlife division reported that the lizards in Toombs and Tattnall counties were either “captive animals that escaped or were intentionally released.”
Are the lizards dangerous?
The giant lizards can eat just about anything, including alligator eggs, fruit, insects and even small animals like rodents.
The lizards don’t pose a threat to humans or pets, but they are a bit scary, topping out at about four feet long and 10 pounds.
The DNR says their only concern with the lizards is the bacteria that they carry because they can “spread exotic parasites to native wildlife and cause bacterial contamination of crops.”
The lizards can also be carriers of salmonella.
What should Georgians do if they see one?
If you see a Tegus lizard on your Georgia property, the DNR says to:
Take a photo of the lizard and contact DNR with the information at (478) 994-1438 or gainvasives@dnr.ga.gov
After confirmation from the DNR, you may be given instructions to trap the animal
Of course, since the lizards are a wild animal not native to Georgia, landowners can kill them on private property in accordance with safety precautions and local ordinances.
Have you ever seen one of these wild lizards? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published April 17, 2024 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Have you seen one of these ‘dog-sized’ lizards yet? They’ve been spotted in Georgia."
