Invasive species are never welcome, but Texas' newest uninvited guest takes that sentiment to a whole new level. The black-and-white tegu lizard is the size of a dog, and it's spreading like wildfire across the southeastern U.S. – including right here in the good ol' Lone Star State. Here's everything you need to know:
The black-and-white tegu lizard, or Salvator merianae, is native to South America.
Intelligent and relatively meek, the reptile makes a great pet for those with a propensity to seek out exotic species.
Unfortunately, some of these dog-sized lizards either escape or are intentionally released.
This has led to the population spreading like wildfire across the southeastern United States, including Texas.
Invasive species pose a threat to both crops and wildlife.
The black-and-white tegu is omnivorous, and among its favorite snacks are the eggs of animals that nest on or near the ground.
If this behavior goes unchecked, it could lead to the decline of species that are already threatened, such as the gopher turtle and Eastern indigo snake.
The lizard also likes to eat strawberries and other low-growing fruits and vegetables, which could endanger local food supplies.
Tegus have also been spotted in Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, and the Florida Everglades, where they've been breeding for nearly a decade.
The lizard prefers subtropical environments that receive significant rainfall, which is why it chose the southeastern U.S. to invade. As this type of weather pattern spreads northward due to climate change, the tegu population could further expand, as well.
Extremely resilient, the tegu elevates its body temperature up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit to withstand colder weather.
It can also recover quickly from being hunted, even to the point of near-extinction.
Georgia and Florida officials have been trapping and rehoming tegus to get them out of the wild.
Georgia has even developed a Tegu Task Force that encourages residents to submit photos of suspected tegus. Once identified, volunteers volunteers trap the animal and bring it to a rescue facility.
Visit the National Geographic website to learn more.
Have you ever spotted a black-and-white tegu lizard in Texas? If so, where? Let us know in the comments, and check out our previous article for more creepy crawlies you just might come across in the Lone Star State.
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