Officials in Georgia have announced that they’re seeking help from the public in tracking an invasive species of lizard. The Argentine black and white tegus, which can grow up to four feet long, is said to be a massive threat to Georgian wildlife. The news of the massive, omnivorous lizards comes even as Georgia is still facing down the coronavirus pandemic.
Commenters online have noted that extremely unfortunate series of events occurring throughout 2020. The pandemic, then the arrival of invasive “murder hornets” in the US, have both been followed by the issue of a new invasive species of lizard. A member of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Conservation Section issued a statement about the creatures.
John Jensen told viewers in a YouTube video that the creatures can grow to four feet in length. He continued, stating they can eat “just about anything they want.”
According to wildlife experts, tegus can eat nearly anything. Vegetables, fruits, small animals, pet food and more are all on the menu for the ravenous lizards. The Georgia Natural Resources site warns that the creatures can cause serious damage to local ecology.
“Tegus will eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds — including quail and turkeys — and other reptiles, such as American alligators and gopher tortoises, both protected species,” the site reads.
According to officials, the lizards are believed to be loose in Tattnall and Toombs counties. Tegus are native to South America, but, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains they have no natural predators. Since female tegus can lay over 30 eggs in a year, they could prove disastrous for the local wildlife.
What’s more, the lizards can live to be up to twenty years old. They are the definition of an invasive species. Officials believe the infestation began when people who owned the lizards as pets released them into the wild.
Due to the threat the lizards pose to the ecology of Georgia, officials are asking for help tracking them. If a Georgia resident sees a tegus or its burrow, they are encouraged to contact the authorities to report it. This will help the wildlife agency track the creatures.
Further, the government encourages citizens to humanely and safely kill any tegus they find in the wild. Wildlife authorities also ask that this be reported so they can track where the animals are moving. Anyone who tries tracking lizards outside should be careful, and consider using an allergy relief coupon to buy something to help with seasonal allergies.
The lizards aren’t known to be aggressive to humans. However, tracking them in the wild could prove difficult or dangerous.
