More Tegus
8 more large, invasive lizards spotted across South Carolina
SCDNR does not want this non-native species to settle in the Palmetto State
WYFF 4Updated: 12:52 PM EDT Sep 10, 2020
Jenni Williams
COLUMBIA, S.C. —
Eight more non-native black and white tegu lizards have been spotted around South Carolina since the initial report from Lexington County in August, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
One was seen in Greenville County, five were seen in Lexington and Richland counties in the Midlands and two in Berkeley County in the Lowcountry. SCDNR said that five of them have been removed from the wild.
WYFF News 4 first reported about the tegus three weeks ago. See video above.
Tegu LizardSCDNR officials warn about state's first sighting of big, egg-loving lizard in Lexington County
SCDNR said that the tegus can reach up to 4 feet in length and weigh more than 10 pounds as adults.
The tegus that were removed from the wild measured between 2 and 3 feet long, and according to SCDNR, they had been eating toads, insects and muscadines.
However, the agency said that tegus are voracious omnivorous lizards that can eat a variety of prey including birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fruits, vegetables, insects and eggs.
SCDNR continues to investigate all reports of sightings and asks that if anyone sees one to report it to Andrew Grosse at grossea@dnr.sc.gov immediately, with a photo, location, time and date that the lizard was seen.
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