Move Over Piggy, it's Tegu's Turn
By Mary Kelley Hoppe
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Photo courtesy SWFWMD
Native to the forests and mountains of South America and sold in exotic pet stores, Tegu lizards have recently been spotted on the loose around Tampa Bay. Among the largest of lizards, these agile climbers and swimmers can grow to four feet long.
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Feral hogs aren’t the only critter stirring up trouble around Tampa Bay.
Land managers are now concerned that an exotic lizard may be on the prowl. Hillsborough County received its first report of a giant lizard earlier this year from a citizen living adjacent to one of its preserves.
Turns out the scaly invader is a Tegu lizard, native to Argentina. County staff have since confirmed about 20 sightings on conservation lands.
Water management district personnel have spotted the Tegu near the Alafia River.
Chances are the reptile escaped or was abandoned to the wild by a pet owner. The common Tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) can grow to four feet and is an agile climber and swimmer. Tegus eat crickets and mice, along with eggs, sweet fruit and plants. Conservationists are concerned that the burrowing animal may chase gopher tortoises from their underground burrows and eat the small animals that share the tortoise’s home.
“If they end up in tortoise burrows, they’ll be walking into a protected species supermarket,” says Kevin Love, a conservation lands manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. To report a sighting, contact your local county environmental protection department or water management district.
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