A large lizard up to 1.2 meters long, it's something most Georgia residents don't expect to see in their yard or neighborhood.
However, state environmental officials are warning people to be mindful of this very thing.
The invasive Argentine tegu, a reptile native to South America, has begun appearing in southern Georgia, raising new concerns about the threat it may pose to native animals and ecosystems, GPB News reports.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources encourages the public to report sightings of Argentine tegus in the state and, if possible, kill them.
According to the department, 30 tegus have been captured or killed in Tattnall and Toombs counties in Georgia since 2018. Officials also report that these invasive lizards have been spotted in 30 other Georgia counties.
Daniel Solenberger, a senior wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife Resources, said the animals are difficult to catch because they move quickly, and state officials are asking residents to act if they see one.
When animals are moved outside their natural range, often as a result of human activity, they can establish themselves in areas where native wildlife has little protection.
Argentine tegus are particularly alarming because they are omnivores. In Georgia, officials say they prey on the eggs of ground-nesting birds and endangered gopher tortoises, further endangering two sensitive areas of the state's natural landscape.
If they continue to spread, they could put further pressure on already struggling native species and disrupt food chains in their range.
Authorities have also warned that tegus can spread diseases, raising further concerns among both local residents and wildlife conservationists.
The sooner authorities know where midges have been spotted, the better their chances of setting up traps or advising residents on next steps.
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