georgia argentine tegu invasive lizards are wiping out local wildlife, and here’s what you need to know.
- Fast and Fearsome: These black-and-white reptiles, reaching up to 4 feet long and 10 pounds, are devouring everything from gopher tortoise eggs to quail chicks, threatening Georgia’s protected species.
- Secret Havens: Tegus hibernate underground in burrows, making them nearly impossible to spot until they’re munching on your garden’s strawberries or chicken eggs—they’re not picky eaters.
- Hunter's Incentive: State wildlife officials have declared open season, allowing year-round trapping without a permit on private land, plus a $50 bounty per dead tegu in some counties.
- Climate Clues: First spotted in 2020, warmer winters are helping them survive, and scientists fear they could spread to neighboring states if not controlled now.
- DIY Alert: If you see one, snap a photo, note the location, and report it to the Georgia DNR—don’t try to catch it, as these lizards have a powerful bite and run like lightning.