Argentinian Invasion: Hundreds of Dog-Sized Lizards Wreak Havoc in the US (4 Photos + 1 Video)

Argentine tegu lizards are popular pets, but they are often released outdoors when they get too big.





Some states in the US are being invaded by giant tegu lizards that can grow to the size of a dog. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) in the US has issued a new warning about Argentine black and white tegu lizards that have been wreaking havoc in the state for years. They have recently been spotted in Cleveland and Charleston.



State herpetologist Andrew Gross said the first tegu was spotted in the state in 2020, and since then the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has confirmed 32 sightings in 17 counties.

Of the 32 tegus, 29 were Argentine black and white, while the other three were red.

Gross said the agency has received a total of 114 reports from 27 counties claiming to have seen the creature, but it can only be confirmed if there is an image of the creature or it has been captured.

Non-native lizards invade the state's natural ecosystem and eat the eggs of quail, turkeys, alligators, and ground-nesting birds.

They also feed on endangered gopher tortoises, fruits, vegetables, plants, carrion, small live animals, pet food, and chicken eggs.

The species was banned from the state in 2021, making it illegal to bring the lizards into the state or breed them.





Despite the ban, people keeping tegus as pets were allowed to keep their lizards, but they had to properly register them with the SCDNR.

While it is unclear why the species is still in the wild, experts believe that people may be releasing their pets into the wild after they get too big.

The invasive lizards, which can grow up to 5 feet long, have been spotted in Cleveland and the Charleston Mountains. They have also been spotted in Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana, and were spotted in Florida just a few months ago



Tegus are harmless to humans, but they are an invasive species that wreak havoc on local ecosystems. Their bites are non-venomous but can cause severe pain. Tegus are found in Paraguay, northern Argentina, and eastern Uruguay.

Compared to other lizards, tegus can tolerate cold temperatures and can raise their body temperature by 50 degrees. They also hibernate in cold weather and can remain motionless for weeks at a time.