Argentine tegu sightings in Georgia
Talk of large, odd-looking lizards has been circulating in eastern Toombs and western Tattnall counties. They’ve been spotted crossing dirt roads. They’ve turned up on game cams. One was even trapped in a farmer’s shop.
Underscoring the stories, since last summer DNR has documented at least four adult Argentine black and white tegus and 20 sightings in the stretch of forest, farmland and sandy-bottomed streams from Lyons to Reidsville. Senior wildlife biologist John Jensen and others at DNR investigating the issue are concerned the area has a breeding population, although recruitment – young tegus – has not been confirmed.
With the winter dormancy period ending and tegus’ reproductive season starting, DNR has a simple request regarding the non-native reptiles: “If you’ve seen something,” Jensen said, “let us know.” Take a photo, note the location and report the sighting — including of dead tegus — at www.gainvasives.org/tegus. Questions? Contact (478) 994-1438 or john.jensen@dnr.ga.gov.
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