Man Captures Mystery Creature Terrorizing His Pets

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When he saw the claw marks outside his animals’ enclosures, the young man in the video above knew he had a mystery on his hands. After his red-foot tortoises were attacked, he says he began to connect the dots. Determined to get to the bottom of it, he set up live traps to catch the culprit. At around 8:40 in the video, he checks his second trap and is shocked and excited to discover a black and white tegu.

Argentine black and white tegus are not native to the U.S. but are increasingly found across the South and Southeast. They are considered an invasive lizard species because of the threats to native wildlife. So, it’s no surprise to find a tegu is responsible for terrorizing animals at the young man’s Florida home. Keep reading to learn more about tegus and find out why many states have enacted restrictions for this species.

What Is a Tegu?

Tegus are large ground-dwelling lizards native to South America. There are several tegu species, of which at least three have been documented in Florida. The Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae, is the largest tegu species and the most established in the U.S.

Argentine black and white tegus can reach over four feet long and weigh as much as 15 pounds. They have stocky bodies with long powerful tails. They have thick heads and necks and large jowls that look like chubby cheeks. Those big jowls not only cover strong jaw muscles, but they also help male tegus attract females. Tegus have sharp teeth and claws for tearing prey and digging burrows.

The Tegu’s Native Habitat

The Argentine black and white tegu is native to tropical rainforests and savannas east of the Andes mountains. They are primarily in Argentina, southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and eastern Paraguay. Although they prefer a more humid ecosystem, tegus are adaptable to semi-desert regions. They have also been found in altered habitats like roadsides and forest clearings.

Tegus are terrestrial lizards. This means they spend most of their lives on the ground, rarely climbing more than a few feet. They are impressive swimmers and can stay underwater for over twenty minutes. To escape the extreme temperatures of their native habitat, tegus dig underground burrows where temperatures are more consistent.

How Did They Become an Invasive Species?

Researchers believe that tegus were introduced to the U.S. via the pet trade. Some reptile fanciers feel Argentine black and white tegus make good pets because they are typically calm and friendly if properly handled. However, escaped or intentionally released tegus can wreak havoc by preying on and competing with native wildlife.

Tegus are omnivores, so their diet consists of plants and animals such as fruits, insects, eggs, rodents, and other reptiles. They not only devour valuable crops, but they also eat the eggs of protected species like American alligators and gopher tortoises. Research indicates they carry salmonella as well, which could contaminate crops and infect local wildlife. So, Tegus are considered an invasive species across the South and Southeast, and most states in the region now require pet tegus to be registered.