Black and white tegu lizard spotted for the first time in South Carolina

Black and white tegu lizard spotted for the first time in South Carolina

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The female caterpillar, found and removed from Lexington County, measured about 2.5 meters in length, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) said in a press release on Friday. The species can reach up to 4 feet and weigh more than 10 pounds.
“The introduction of any non-native species can have serious negative impacts on native wildlife. Black and white tegus are no exception,” said SCDNR herpetologist Andrew Grosse in a statement.

“Tegus ripen and reproduce quickly, although the most worrying is their preference for eggs and the potential impacts for our native birds on the ground, such as turkeys and quails, as well as other species, such as the endangered gopher tortoise.”

Adult black and white tegu lizard.
Lizards, native to South America, are voracious omnivores that hunt birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. They also eat fruits, vegetables, insects and eggs. In addition to posing a risk to native species, they can also spread exotic parasites to native wildlife or even cause bacterial contamination of crops.

Black and white tegu lizards have settled in Georgia and Florida, “probably as a result of liberation or flight,” according to the press release. As a non-native species, animals are not protected by state wildlife laws or regulations.

SCDNR has received several sighting reports since May, but this is the first time that it has been confirmed. The species does not pose a threat to pet dogs or cats and is not considered aggressive towards people.

Authorities are asking anyone who sees one of these lizards to take a photo and report where and when it was seen.

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