Tegu lizards

Tegus have been reported in 35 Florida counties, including nearly every part of the greater Tampa Bay region. A new factsheet shows their presence is now established in several North Florida counties and as far north as Georgia.

Florida’s Prohibited Species List now has 16 new high-risk nonnative reptiles added. They include Argentine black and white tegus, green iguanas, Nile monitor lizards, Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, and green anacondas.

After collecting comments from reptile breeders and environmental activists at multiple workshops and focus groups, Florida wildlife officials are expected to revise the rules around the possession and commercial sale of highly invasive nonnative species, like tegu lizards and green iguanas.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering banning people from buying tegus and green iguanas to keep as pets.

The FWC approved draft rules in July that would change the listing for “conditional” species, like Burmese pythons and Nile monitor lizards, to "prohibited."

Across South Florida, 2019 is shaping up to be the year of the big lizard. At their yearly gathering to talk about invasive species this week, more than...

The Argentine black and white tegu is one of the newest, biggest threats to Florida’s natural wildlife. The large, invasive lizard was first noticed in...

Giant lizards called Argentine black and white tegus are coming out of hibernation right now -- and they're in the Tampa Bay area. Wildlife officials say…