South Carolina has been under siege by a rather unexpected invader: the Argentine Black and White Tegu lizard, a creature as long as a small dog and just as determined.
For years now, these invasive lizards have been causing ecological havoc across the state, feasting on native wildlife and challenging efforts to control their spread. Recently, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) issued yet another warning about these lizards after new sightings in Cleveland, Charleston, and the Midlands, signaling that the problem is far from contained.
The state’s first confirmed tegu sighting dates back to 2020, but since then, the numbers have risen significantly. A total of 32 confirmed tegus have been spotted across 17 counties in South Carolina, with the majority being the notorious Argentine black and white tegu and a few of the red variety. And while 32 might sound manageable, SCDNR has actually received over 100 reports of tegu sightings. The catch? The agency can only confirm these encounters if they receive photographic evidence or capture the creature itself.
These dog-sized lizards are no simple nuisance; they pose a real threat to South Carolina’s ecosystem. Tegus are opportunistic feeders with a broad and rather voracious diet. They consume quail, turkey, and ground-nesting bird eggs, but they don’t stop there. They also devour endangered gopher tortoises, small animals, pet food, and even fresh produce, leaving a mark on both local wildlife and agriculture.
The impact has become so severe that the state outright banned the species in 2021, forbidding anyone from bringing in or breeding tegus. Pet owners, however, were allowed to keep their pets, provided they registered them properly with SCDNR.
With tegus reaching up to five feet in length, these reptiles are formidable creatures. Covered in distinctive black-and-white scales, they can withstand colder climates better than most lizards due to their ability to raise their body temperature significantly.
As autumn settles in, many tegus begin brumating—a hibernation-like state that allows them to survive through the colder months. This adaptability has allowed wild tegu populations to thrive not only in South Carolina but also in nearby states like Florida and Georgia.
While tegus are not known to be dangerous to humans, handling one is another matter. Rudy Mancke, a well-known South Carolina naturalist, described a clever yet simple way to catch a tegu: throw a sheet over it.
According to Mancke, the lizard will remain hidden under the sheet, believing it’s out of sight. However, he cautioned that picking one up is not advisable—the tegu’s bite may not be venomous, but it is impressively strong and capable of causing serious pain.
