According to a report by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina has documented its first sighting of the non-native black and white tegu lizard. It was found in Lexington.
Popular in pet trade, the invasive species has been established in both Georgia and Florida, likely a result of release or escape. Since then, SCDNR staff have received multiple reports from Lexington and Aiken counties. No previous reports could be confirmed.
The individual removed from Lexington County was an adult female measuring about 2.5 feet long; however, black and white tegu lizards can reach up to 4 feet in length and weigh more than 10 pounds as adults.
Please report any sightings of black and white tegus in the wild to Andrew Grosse, grossea@dnr.sc.gov. If possible, please submit a photo, location, and time and date the individual was seen.
As a non-native species, the tegu in the wild in South Carolina are not protected by state wildlife laws or regulations and could end up affecting the ground-nesting bird population including turkeys, grouse and pheasant.
Visit here for more information about black and white tegus, including natural history and identifying characteristics.
