Sightings of invasive lizards spread across the Midlands, and South Carolina
South Carolina officials are concerned about the increased number of sightings of invasive lizards across the state, with most occurring in the Midlands.
Since alerting the public about the non-native black and white tegus in August, the Department of Natural Resources reports eight more confirmed sightings of the lizards, the department said Thursday in a news release.
Five of the sightings were from Richland County and Lexington County, where the first documented case of the tegu lizard was reported on Aug. 21, DNR officials said.
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Two of the recent sightings were in the Lowcountry in Berkeley County, while the other confirmed report was in the Upstate in Greenville County, according to the release.
While DNR said five of the eight tegus were removed from the wild, the frequency of the sightings, and how far apart they have been, has caused some worry to officials who are monitoring the reports closely.
“The number and distribution of black and white tegu reports in just a few weeks is concerning,” state herpetologist Andrew Grosse said in the release. “The individuals removed measured between 2 and 3 feet long and consisted of both females and males. Necropsies show the tegus have all been scavenging native plants and animals, including toads, various insects and muscadines. This indicates these individuals are wild, free roaming and foraging opportunistically.
“It is important that this species does not establish in our state.”
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Black and white tegu lizards are native to South America, and are thought to have arrived in the southeastern U.S. via wildlife trading. The tegus are predators and can rapidly multiply — laying 35 eggs per year, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Already established in Georgia and Florida, the tegus could have an affect in South Carolina on native ground-nesting birds like turkey and quail, as well as other species like the state-endangered gopher tortoise, given the lizards’ preference for eggs, DNR said.
“The introduction of any non-native species can have serious negative impacts on native wildlife. Black and white tegus are no exception,” Grosse said in August. “Tegus mature and reproduce quickly.”
After the first confirmed tegu sighting in Lexington County, an adult female that was about 2.5 feet long, more than 80 reports of the lizards in South Carolina were sent to DNR. Tegu sightings should be reported to Grosse of the DNR at grossea@dnr.sc.gov. If possible, DNR asks that reports include a photo, location, and time and date the lizard was seen.
Prior to the first confirmed sighting, DNR said it received reports of the lizards being spotted in Lexington and Aiken counties for months.
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Black-and-white tegus, which are the largest tegu species, can grow up to four feet long and weigh up to 10 pounds and have a life span of about 20 years, according wildlife officials. They are omnivores, and eat plants as well as various types of eggs, pet food, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians and birds, DNR said.
“Although not considered aggressive toward people, tegus will defend themselves if threatened. They can react fast and lash with their tails. They have sharp teeth and claws and strong jaws,” says the Georgia DNR website dedicated to tegus.
As adults, tegus have gray, black and white coloring on their scales, while young tegus have a bright green color on their upper torsos and heads. Because they are an invasive species, tegus are not protected by South Carolina wildlife laws or regulations, and “should be removed from the wild,” DNR said.
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This story was originally published September 10, 2020 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Sightings of invasive lizards spread across the Midlands, and South Carolina."
