In 2018, DNR began investigating odd reports of big lizards scuttling across dirt roads, hiding under homes and lurking around chicken houses in Tattnall and Toombs counties.
That response quickly turned into an all-out push to eradicate what is now considered a wild population of Argentine black and white tegus. These south American reptiles may be popular as pets, but – growing up to 4 feet long and able to weather Georgia winters – they’re a nightmare for native wildlife.
Confirmed tegu reports in the two southeast Georgia counties surged to 11 this year. The total, the most since 2018, could reflect more reports, more tegus or both.
While it’s unclear whether the battle with this invasive species is being won or lost, here are five things we know:
- No young tegus have been confirmed, but females have been found with eggs. DNR senior wildlife biologist Daniel Sollenberger said the signs point to a wild population. “There’s no (other) reasonable reason for having that many tegus in such a small area.”
- Tegus seen elsewhere in Georgia are considered one-offs, such as an escaped pet or illegally released animal. But Dr. Lance McBrayer of Georgia Southern University, a partner with DNR in the Toombs and Tattnall effort, said the number and spread of sightings “speaks to the fact that the pet trade is a significant hurdle” and underscores the looming threat that if tegus “make it into the wild in very many numbers, they could breed and increase rapidly.”
- These lizards eat on the move, even eating things that don’t move. Analyzing the stomach contents of tegus from Tattnall and Toombs has revealed everything from frogs, lizards and small snakes to muscadines, strawberries and “bugs of all stripes,” McBrayer said. “Each had a mix of invertebrates, plant matter and small vertebrates.” They’re also likely eating any eggs they find, he said.
- Tegus in Tattnall and Toombs do not appear to be increasing fast, unlike in Florida. While that could be hopeful, it’s not uncommon for invasive species, McBrayer said. “There can be long periods when the population simmers at a low abundance and at some point it may take off. Or it may not. Predicting the rate of increase is difficult.” But when a population does increase, he said, it does so rapidly, often growing exponentially.
- Tegus in the wild are “public enemy no. 1,” Sollenberger said. “Wherever they are, we want them off the street.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Please report tegus, alive or dead. Note the location, take a photo if possible and report the sighting at gainvasives.org/argentine-black-and-white-tegu, (478) 994-1438) or gainvasives@dnr.ga.gov.
- As a non-native species, tegus in the wild in Georgia can be legally trapped or killed year-round on private property with landowner permission. Local ordinances apply, as do safety precautions. On DNR wildlife management areas, tegus can be taken with firearms legal for the current hunting season or hunt dates on the area.
- Argentine black and white tegus are listed as wild animals in Georgia. Any not registered with DNR and tagged before Dec. 4, 2023, cannot be kept as pets. Importing and breeding a wild animal also is illegal, as is releasing any non-native animal into the wild.
- Learn more at georgiawildlife.com/tegus.