Argentine tegus are creeping their way into Georgia and Florida. Have you seen them?

USA Today

09-04-2025

Argentine tegus are creeping their way into Georgia and Florida. Have you seen them?
Show Caption
Hide Caption
A new map documents where hurricanes may have spread invasive species
A report by the U.S. Geological Survey says dozens of species may have been spread by hurricanes Helene and Milton to several southeast states.
Georgia and Florida have their share of gators, turtles, snakes and iguanas.
But wildlife officials say not all of the creatures are welcome − particularly one invasive species. Multiple Argentine tegus have decided to call the two states home, and the lizards are also popping up in South Carolina, said the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
"Introduced to the Southeast region of the U.S. through the pet trade, these lizards now pose a threat to multiple states," the agency warned.
But what are they? Are they dangerous around humans? What should you do if you spot one of the scaly creatures? Here's what we know:
What is a tegu?
The tegu is a large, invasive, commonly black and white lizard from Argentina. They can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh 10 pounds or more, according to Georgia Wildlife. Unlike some other lizards, the tegu rarely climbs more than a few feet off the ground, but they are strong swimmers.
From late fall and through the winter months, tegus head into burrows for a hibernation-type period known as brumation to avoid freezing temperatures. They usually breed in the spring and typically lay 35 eggs annually with a 60-day incubation period. They may live up to 20 years.
"In west-central Florida, they inhabit dry uplands with sandy soils, including natural, urbanized, and agricultural areas. In southern Florida, they occur in densely vegetated areas along canals and roadsides," according to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Although there are several types of tegus, the Argentine black and white is the most popular as pets, according to PangoVet.
What does a tegu look like?
The Argentine tegu has mottled black and white skin. The colors are often arranged into a banding pattern across the back and tail.
Hatchlings display similar markings, but typically have bright green heads. The green fades after they reach about one month of age.
Where have tegus been reported in Georgia? Florida?
The University of Georgia runs an interactive map with detailed information about tegus in the state. As of Wednesday, it includes 43 reports.
Here are the Peach State counties with the most sightings:
7 in Tattnall County
6 in Toombs County
5 in Gwinnett County
2 in DeKalb County
2 in Baldwin County
2 in Harris County
Additionally, Georgia's Clarke County has one reported sighting, while Franklin County, Hall County and even as far north as Union County have reported a sighting. Union County sits on Georgia's northern border, across from North Carolina.
Meanwhile, in Florida, "reproducing populations" of Argentine black and white tegus have been established in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Charlotte counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service.
And, a newly established population was discovered in St. Lucie County after several tegus reports were confirmed through the FWC's Exotic Species Hotline.
Are tegus dangerous?
Although not considered aggressive toward people, "tegus will defend themselves if threatened," according to the Georgia Fish and Wildlife Service: "They can react fast and lash with their tails. They have sharp teeth and claws and strong jaws."
Tegus also represent a natural threat because they have few predators and can multiply quickly. They eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds — including quail and turkeys — and other reptiles like the American alligator and gopher tortoise. Both are protected species.
Tegus will also eat chicken eggs, fruits, vegetables, plants, pet food, carrion and small live animals.
Bites can cause serious injuries if you don't take proper precautions, according to WebMD.
Can you kill a tegu if you see it?
In Florida, tegus are not protected except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property as long as you have the landowner's permission.
They also can be captured and humanely killed all year, without a permit or hunting license, on 32 commission-managed lands in South Florida, the Fish and Wildlife Service said.
The agency said it is "prioritizing control and removal of emerging tegu populations in new areas, including the Charlotte County and St. Lucie County populations." The counties are located on opposite coasts in southern Florida.
In Georgia, tegus can be trapped or killed on private property with the landowner's permission and using legal methods under local ordinances, animal cruelty laws, and safety precautions.
Also, on Georgia's public Wildlife Management Areas, tegus can be killed with firearms legal during the current hunting season. Using traps to catch tegus is not allowed. Anyone who sees a tegu on a WMA should also alert that region's Game Management office.
How do you report a possible tegu?
In Georgia and Florida, both states encourage residents to take a photo if they see a tegu, note the location, and notify their respective authorities.
Georgia residents can inform their Department of Natural Resources when they see a tegu in the wild, dead or alive, to help biologists document occurrences and respond effectively. They can report the sightings online at gainvasives.org/argentine-black-and-white-tegu, email at [e-mail], or call [phone].
Florida residents can call the state's Fish and Wildlife Service's Exotic Species Hotline at 888-483-4681 or 1-888-Ive-Got1. They can also report online at IveGo1.org or use the IveGot1 mobile app.