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Growth and Spread of the Argentine Black and White Tegu Population in Florida

Rebecca G. Harvey, Justin R. Dalaba, Jenny Ketterlin, Art Roybal, Daniel Quinn, and Frank J. Mazzotti


Release Date: 9/22/2021

Reviewed At: 12/9/2024

DOI: 10.32473/edis-uw482-2021

Natural Resources

Abstract

The Argentine black and white tegu is one of the largest lizard species in the Western Hemisphere, growing up to four feet long. The tegu’s broad habitat use and omnivorous diet create the potential for severe ecological impacts in areas outside its native habitat. This publication presents updated information about efforts to understand and manage the problem of invasive tegus in the state of Florida. It presents the implications of continued expansion of their range.

About this Publication

This document is WEC437, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Original publication date, November 2015; revised June 2021. Originally written by Rebecca G. Harvey, former environmental education coordinator; revised by Justin R. Dalaba. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Rebecca G. Harvey, former environmental education coordinator, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; Justin R. Dalaba, science writer and outreach coordinator, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center; Jenny Ketterlin, invasive species biologist, National Park Service; Art Roybal, senior fish and wildlife biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Daniel Quinn, nonnative fish and wildlife biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and Frank J. Mazzotti, professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Harvey, R. G., Dalaba, J., Ketterlin, J., Roybal, A., Quinn, D., & Mazzotti, F. J. (2021). Growth and Spread of the Argentine Black and White Tegu in Florida. EDIS, 2021(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-uw482-2021

Authors

Justin Dalaba
Justin Dalaba

former science writer and outreach coordinator, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Rebecca Harvey
Rebecca Harvey
external
University of Florida

former environmental education coordinator; Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Frank Mazzotti
Frank Mazzotti
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Contacts

Aaron Chimelis
Aaron Chimelis
student
University of Florida

wildlife intern, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie FL

Publication #WEC437

Peer Reviewed
General Public