Argentine lizards threaten South Carolina's ecosystems

On November 3, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) in the USA issued a warning regarding Argentine black and white tegus, which have been roaming in the state for several years. The invasive species was first observed in the wild in 2020. Since then, SCDNR has confirmed 32 occurrences in 17 counties. There have been over 110 reports, but only those corroborated with photos or by capturing the reptile have been recorded.

State herpetologist Andrew Grosse reported on November 1 that no evidence indicates that the invasive lizards are breeding in the wild. According to specialists, the tegu specimens observed in the wild originate from domestic breeding. In 2021, a ban on the possession and breeding of this species was introduced, but owners were allowed to keep the animals they already had, provided they registered them with SCDNR. It is unclear why the species is still found in the wild, but experts believe people probably release the animals when they grow too large.

Tegus can grow up to about 1.5 metres in length, and this particular variety has distinctive black and white scales along its body. The imported lizards are attacking the state's natural ecosystem. They eat the eggs of quails, turkeys, alligators, and ground-nesting birds. They also prey on small animals endangered in South Carolina, including grasshoppers and gopher tortoises.

Tegu lizards are native to Paraguay, northern Argentina, and eastern Uruguay. Unlike many other reptiles, they are more resistant to cold and can raise their body temperature by 10 degrees Celsius above the surrounding temperature. Tegus are not venomous and do not pose a life threat to humans, but experts strongly discourage individuals from capturing these predators themselves. Their bite can be extremely painful. SCDNR has urged anyone who sees a tegu to immediately contact the agency by phone or email and send a photo if possible.

Source: dailymail.co.uk