WEC295 Florida Invader: Tegu Lizard 1 Steve A. Johnson and Monica McGarrity 2 1. This document is WEC295, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date August 2010. Revised February 2014 and June 2017. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Steve A. Johnson, associate professor and Extension specialist; and Monica McGarrity, Extension program assistant; Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Report tegu lizard sightings immediately: 1-888-IveGot1 (1-888-483-4681; live animals only) http://IveGot1.org (provide photos if possible) e black-and-white or giant Argentine tegu (Salva- tor merianae), native to South America, has become established in the Balm-Wimauma (southeast of Tampa) and Homestead (south of Miami) areas due to releases or escapes of pets. Individual lizards belonging to several tegu species have also been captured in other areas in Florida. ese large lizards grow to 4–5 feet long. Like Nile monitor lizards, tegus are likely to eat the eggs and young of ground- nesting birds and turtles and could impact threatened and endangered species, including gopher tortoises. ey have been observed eating alligator eggs, and could be a problem for threatened American crocodiles in southern Florida. ey are opportunistic predators and consume a variety of small prey as well as plant matter and carrion (dead animals). Black-and-white tegus inhabit dry, upland areas with sandy soils, including natural, urbanized, and agricul- tural areas. Tegus could potentially become an agricultural pest or a source of bacterial contamination of food crops. ese lizards may dig burrows, but also frequently invade the burrows of native gopher tortoises. ey remain underground during late fall and winter months. Females lay approximately 5 eggs per clutch up to twice per year. Lifespan is 15–20 years. Figure 1. Black-and-white tegu (Tupinambis merianae), also known as the giant Argentine tegu. Credits: Mauro Teixeiro, Jr., Universidade de São Paolo, Brazil