Giant 4-foot-long lizard now established in Georgia as invasive species

ATLANTA -- It's the largest lizard of its species and it is now calling Georgia home, which has wildlife officials concerned.

The Argentine black and white tegus is posing a real threat to Georgia wildlife. According to the Department of Natural Resources, the lizard has established itself in Toombs and Tattnall counties in southeast Georgia as an invasive species.

Tegus, which can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh 10 pounds or more, is native to South America. DNR officials say the lizards were already an invasive species in south Florida.

Argentine black and white tegu (Stan Kirkland/Florida FWC)

While the lizards are legal as pets in Georgia, it is illegal to release them into the wild.

"Tegus are not native to our state, and have been known to eat native species, including the eggs of alligators and threatened wildlife, such as hatchling gopher tortoises," according to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division website. "Adult tegus have few predators and can multiply quickly. Females reach reproductive age at about 12 inches long, or after their second season of brumation. They can lay about 35 eggs a year."

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. They will also eat chicken eggs, fruit, vegetables, plants, pet food, carrion and small live animals, from grasshoppers to young gopher tortoises.

DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, the U.S. Geological Survey and Georgia Southern University say they are trapping tegus, tracking sightings and assessing the population.

Black to dark gray with white speckled bands across the back and tail, these reptiles can weigh 10 pounds or more and live 20 years, according to the DNR Wildlife Resource Division. Hatchlings have bright green on their heads, a coloration that fades at about one month-old.

In Georgia, tegus might be confused with native reptiles such as juvenile alligators (which are protected) and broadhead skinks, according to wildlife experts.