The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the first spotting of a black & white Tegu lizard in the Midlands.
The captured Tegu lizard was a two-and-a-half foot long female, although the animal can grow up to four feet long and weigh over ten pounds.
The DNR describes the species as “voracious omnivorous lizards that eat a variety of prey, including birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fruits, vegetables, insects, and eggs.”
Tegu lizards are popular in the pet trade, but the DNR warns that their release into the wild can have severe negative effects on wildlife.
If you spot a black & white Tegu lizard, the DNR asks you to report it to Andrew Grosse with the DNR, by e-mailing grossea@dnr.sc.gov, along with a photo, and time/location of the sighting.