RITZVILLE, GA — An invasive, huge and dangerous lizard is traveling southeastern Georgia and beyond. The Argentine black-and-white tequid lizards originally came from South America and now they wreak havoc on wildlife throughout the south. Daniel Sollengberge, a senior wildlife biologist at Wildlife In Georgia, said they didn't know the wildlife population was set until recently.
Sollenberg said: "We think these animals started because of pets that escaped or were released in the area... It is indeed very common in the pet trade. "After the discovery of more than a dozen lizards in southeastern Georgia, Tegers has become an invasive species, especially in tombs and Tatnal counties. Dr. Lance Mcbrayer, a professor in southern Georgia, studied the evolution of lizards and led the U.S. Geological Survey team. McBray said: "By 2020, we have already fished five animals here. "Lizards can grow up to four feet long. As the number of lizards in southeastern Georgia continues to increase, geological survey teams are racing to lay traps. The locations of the traps are about 100 meters apart, and members of the geology team check them daily. Daniel Haro is a member of the geology team and works in the field about three to four times a week. "Overall, now we have 85, to 90... So, I'm hoping to add another 5 this week," Haro said. According to the wildlife of Georgia, lizards do not attack people unless provoked. However, because the jaws are strong and the teeth are sharp, they will eat anything that can be put in their mouths, especially eggs. McBrell said: "They destroyed our gopher turtle population, Bob White Quail population or turkey population... The animals walk around and look for nests on the ground. "On top of that, tegu lizards can lay up to 40 eggs, and once hatched, they are about 6 to 10 inches long. McBrell said: "This is our real concern... In just a few years, the number of dentures can increase rapidly. "Staff in southeast Georgia have not yet captured the juvenile tegu, but," McBrell said, "All the habitats and animal sizes we captured indicate that they are breeding — and that's a problem." ”
The Tegu lizard has also been established as an invasive species in Florida. McBrell said: "Florida has at least 3 people... The north side of the Everglades... From Tampa to St. Pate Pete) inland... Now in Panhandle, "the southern lizard population may have spread rapidly because, unlike most lizards, Tigers moved around." These animals can walk miles a day. They can walk 10 or 12 miles in a day or two. Mcbrayer said. McBreyer said that as lizard populations continue to grow, they will spread rapidly if the spread of lizards is not stopped.