A large lizard with an insatiable urge for food is gracing some peoples’ houses as a brand new household pet.
The Argentine black-and-white tegu appeared within the Southern U.S. greater than 10 years in the past, mowing down every little thing from low-lying fruits to birds and, at occasions, the eggs of endangered species. The resilient reptile can develop as much as 3 ft lengthy and, as a result of it’s troublesome to do away with, has grow to be an invasive species in a number of Southern U.S. states, together with Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Fearing the tegu’s irreversible impression on endangered species, some states, like South Carolina, have prohibited the possession of tegus.
“This species has been launched and established in a number of areas outdoors of its native vary, together with Florida and Georgia,” a webpage concerning the reptile from the South Carolina Division of Pure Assets says.
It goes on: “This species has lately been documented in quite a few counties in South Carolina, and because the invasive potential of this species has been acknowledged, each Florida and Alabama have enacted restrictions for this and different Tegu species. As a result of South Carolina supplies the species an acceptable habitat and local weather, Black and White Tegus, and their hybrids, have been added to the listing of Restricted Nonnative Wildlife.”
Maybe surprisingly, tegus are a fascinating pet for individuals with a coronary heart for reptiles. Practically 80,000 tegus have been imported to the U.S. from South America between 2000 and 2010, Nationwide Geographic reported. The reptiles make fascinating pets for some households due to their docility. The reptiles’ unfold all through the U.S. is blamed on a small variety of tegus that escaped or have been launched from captivity by irresponsible house owners.
States have struggled ever since to scale back or eradicate the invasive species, and Georgia lately started implementing a brand new tactic: providing captured wild tegus as pets.
Georgia is likely one of the states that enable individuals to personal the reptile. Residents are inspired to report tegu sightings, that are then managed by the Georgia Reptile Society’s Tegu Process Drive. The duty power proceeds to find the reptile, seize it and discover it a house with people.
Newsweek reached out to the Georgia Reptile Society by e mail for remark.
“We’re doing every little thing we will to get the animal, seize it and attempt to get it into a brand new residence,” stated Justyne Lobello, previous president of the Georgia Reptile Society, in accordance with Nationwide Geographic’s report. “We need to assist take away them from their habitat as gently as doable. It helps that now we have an extended ready listing of people that need one as a pet.”
The reptile society calls tegus “unbelievable animals that type long-lasting bonds with their house owners” and blames the unfold of the invasive species because the mark of “irresponsible house owners,” in accordance with the report.
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This article by Anna Skinner was first printed by Newsweek on 9 November 2023. Lead Picture: Teddy the tegu is seen on the Nationwide Pet Present on November 3, 2018, in Birmingham, England. Tegus are touted for his or her docility and are broadly liked as pets, however the reptile has grow to be an invasive species within the Southern U.S. GETTY.
