Name: DNR: Have you spotted this invasive lizard species in Georgia? Report it, then kill it
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DNR: Have you spotted this invasive lizard species in Georgia? Report it, then kill it

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AdvertisementThe lizards have established themselves in both Tattnall and Toombs counties, live up to 20 years and can lay up to 35 eggs every year.DNR: Have you spotted this invasive lizard species in Georgia? Report it, then kill itThe lizards have established themselves in both Tattnall and Toombs counties, live up to 20 years and can lay up to 35 eggs every year.Hide TranscriptShow TranscriptEXTRA TIME TO MAKE IT TO YOUR DESTINATIONS. IF YOU STAY IN THE TOOMBS AND TATTNALL COUNTY AREA.. THERE'S A SPECIES OF LIZARD LIVING THERE .. THAT'S CERTAINLY RARE TO THIS AREA. AND NOW THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT HAS TEAMED UP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. DAVE WILLIAMS TELLS US ALL ABOUT THE TEGU (TAY-GOO) LIZARD. (:01-:08) (:21-:30) (1:07-1:16) IT'S BEEN QUITE AN EVENTFUL LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR THE FOLKS IN THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY'S STATESBORO CAMPUS. THEY'VE BEEN ON THE HUNT FOR THE TEGU LIZARD, WHO ARE BEING FOUND IN GREAT NUMBERS IN THE TOOMBS AND TATTNALL COUNTY AREAS. THEY HAVE TRAPPED THEM, IN AN AIM TO CUT DOWN ON ITS POPULATION WHICH CAN BE AS MUCH AS 30 OFFSPRING AT A TIME. (MCBRAYER) "WE'RE WORRIED THAT THEY'LL BECOME A REALLY INVASIVE SPECIES AND BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR NATIVE WILD LIFE AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO TRAP THEM AND GET RID OF THEM BEFORE THEY BECOME POTENTIALLY A BIG PROBLEM." AND BECAUSE OF THAT THREAT THEY POSE.. WHEN THE LIZARDS ARE TRAPPED, THEY'RE BEING EUTHANIZED, SO RESEARCH CAN BE DONE. (MCBRAYER) "WE'RE LOOKING TO DESCRIBE THE POPULATION, BOTH IN TERMS OF HOW MANY THERE MIGHT BE AND THEN WHAT IS THE HEALTH AND REPRODUCTION STATUS OF THESE ANIMALS, SO WE WANT TO KNOW IF THEY'RE BREEDING, HOW MANY OF THEM MIGHT BE BREEDING, SO THAT WE CAN GET AN IDEA OF HOW BIG A PROBLEM THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME." A HANDFUL OF STUDENTS ARE HELPING DR. MCBRAYER WITH THE PROJECT LIKE JUNIOR MICHAEL BRENNAN AND GRAD STUDENT JADA DAVIS. AND BRENNAN HE DIDN'T REALIZE SO MANY OF THESE REPTILES WERE LIVING NEARBY. (BRENNAN) "I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO LEARN THERE WAS AN ESTABLISHED POPULATION, BUT IT DOES MAKE SENSE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN, THEIR HABITAT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY HAVE IN SOUTH AMERICA, WHERE THEY'RE FROM. I JUST WASN'T EXPECTIAdvertisementDNR: Have you spotted this invasive lizard species in Georgia? Report it, then kill itThe lizards have established themselves in both Tattnall and Toombs counties, live up to 20 years and can lay up to 35 eggs every year.Above file video: Georgia Southern biology department traps, rescues tegusREIDSVILLE, Ga. (AP) — An invasive South American lizard Georgia officials are attempting to eradicate was sighted for the third year in a row, a reptile conservation group said.The lizard - known as tegus - was recently found in Tattnall County, the Orianne Society said Monday in a Facebook post. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said the Argentine lizards, which have established themselves in both Tattnall and Toombs counties, likely originated in the state as escaped pets or were released into the wild. “Many of the public that encounter these often report them, thinking that they look like a baby alligator well away from the water,” said John Jensen, an official with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, in a YouTube Video posted on May 8. “They eat just about anything they want, plant and animal matter,” Jensen added.Related: 'Kill it immediately': Georgia officials warn of invasive snakehead fish that survives on landThe tegus, which can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) long, poses a threat to protected native wildlife, including American alligators and gopher tortoises. The black and white tegus have been documented using gopher tortoise burrows and eating tortoise and alligator eggs, as well as the tortoise young.While they have not been a threat to humans and common household pets, including cats and dogs, Georgia officials are advising people against leaving pet foods outside as it can attract the lizard to people’s homes.The tegus, which have also been found in parts of Florida, can live up to 20 years and lay up to 35 eggs every year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Orianne Society said it is critical to remove them early before they have a chance to spread rapidly.Jensen said people should report sightings of the lizard to the state’s natural resources department and kill them if they can able to do so “safely and humanely.”Below file video: Giant, 4-Foot Long Rainforest Lizard Found Wandering London ParkAbove file video: Georgia Southern biology department traps, rescues tegusREIDSVILLE, Ga. (AP) — An invasive South American lizard Georgia officials are attempting to eradicate was sighted for the third year in a row, a reptile conservation group said.AdvertisementThe lizard - known as tegus - was recently found in Tattnall County, the Orianne Society said Monday in a Facebook . The Georgia Department of Natural Resources the Argentine lizards, which have established themselves in both Tattnall and Toombs counties, likely originated in the state as escaped pets or were released into the wild. “Many of the public that encounter these often report them, thinking that they look like a baby alligator well away from the water,” said John Jensen, an official with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, in a posted on May 8. “They eat just about anything they want, plant and animal matter,” Jensen added.The tegus, which can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) long, poses a threat to protected native wildlife, including American alligators and gopher tortoises. The black and white tegus have been documented using gopher tortoise burrows and eating tortoise and alligator eggs, as well as the tortoise young.While they have not been a threat to humans and common household pets, including cats and dogs, Georgia officials are advising people against leaving pet foods outside as it can attract the lizard to people’s homes.The tegus, which have also been found in parts of Florida, can live up to 20 years and lay up to 35 eggs every year, according to the . The Orianne Society said it is critical to remove them early before they have a chance to spread rapidly.Jensen said people should report sightings of the lizard to the state’s natural resources department and kill them if they can able to do so “safely and humanely.”Below file video: Giant, 4-Foot Long Rainforest Lizard Found Wandering London ParkLoading more articles...

AdvertisementThe lizards have established themselves in both Tattnall and Toombs counties, live up to 20 years and can lay up to 35 eggs every year.DNR: Have you spotted this invasive lizard species in Georgia? Report it, then kill itThe lizards have established themselves in both Tattnall and Toombs counties, live up to 20 years and can lay up to 35 eggs every year.Hide TranscriptShow TranscriptEXTRA TIME TO MAKE IT TO YOUR DESTINATIONS. IF YOU STAY IN THE TOOMBS AND TATTNALL COUNTY AREA.. THERE'S A SPECIES OF LIZARD LIVING THERE .. THAT'S CERTAINLY RARE TO THIS AREA. AND NOW THE GEORGIA...

DNR: Have you spotted this invasive lizard species in Georgia? Report it, then kill it

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