Georgia wildlife agency seeking reports of invasive lizards

Georgia’s wildlife agency is asking residents to report sightings of an invasive lizard that can pose a threat to native species.

The state Department of Natural Resources is trying to locate and remove South American tegus from Georgia before the lizards can thrive in greater numbers. So far, the state’s only known wild population has been found in Toombs and Tattnall counties in southeast Georgia.

Wildlife officials hope to stop the black and white lizards from spreading further. They can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) long and weight up to 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms), and have a wide-ranging appetite that favors eggs of turtles, alligators and ground-nesting birds.