Tegu lizard beginning to overrun parts of Florida

Tegu lizard beginning to overrun parts of Florida

• • Share on facebook
  • Share on twitter
  • Share on gmail
  • Share on email
  • Share on print
  • More Sharing Services
  • 70

Posted: Feb 26, 2014 11:03 AM ESTUpdated: Feb 26, 2014 12:20 PM EST

• Like us on Facebook: FOX 5 DC & MyFoxDC

• FOX 5 PHOTO GALLERIES

• Like us on Facebook: FOX 5 DC & MyFoxDC

  
  Join the conversation on our Facebook page!  Like us and tell us what stories matter to you.

• Follow @fox5newsdc on Twitter

  
  Join the conversation on Twitter @myfoxdc.

• Photo Gallery: February 2014 Mugshots

  
  Here are the latest additions to the FOX 5 mugshot photo gallery. These mugshots were provided to us by law enforcement based on recent arrests and charges. All defendants are presumed innocent.

• 2 bull sharks caught in Potomac River

  Updated: Aug 22, 2013 3:11 PM EDT
  
  For the second time in three years, fishermen in southern Maryland have pulled in a shark from the most unlikely place -- the Potomac River. Actually they caught two sharks. 

• Photo Gallery: Contraband seized at DC Region Airports

  People are always trying to sneak things into the country through area airports. Here are some of the items they were caught with.

• Mug Shot Photo Galleries

  Guilty or not, these strange mug shots are worth a look. This information was supplied by law enforcement and describes recent arrests and charges. All defendants are presumed innocent.

• Celebrities pose for PETA photo gallery

  Many celebrities are willing to pose for PETA in various stages of dress and undress.  Check out the photos here.

• Graves at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery damaged by heavy equipment

  Updated: Dec 31, 2013 7:40 PM EST
  A bulldozer mistakenly damaged dozens of graves at a Maryland veterans cemetery. Now the state's Secretary of Veterans Affairs is apologizing.

• Florida mother gives birth to 14 pound baby boy

  Updated: Dec 26, 2013 9:32 PM EST
  A family in Florida received a big gift this Christmas: a new baby boy weighing in at more than 14 pounds!

• Photo Gallery: Md. woman has 277 Christmas trees inside her home

  You might say Renetta Zanco's love of Christmas has snowballed. She has a lot of Christmas trees. 277 trees to be exact.
  
• More>>

HILLSBOROUGH CO., Fla. -- They're big and they're hungry.

Now, the tegu lizard is becoming a problem for Hillsborough County, Florida.

The tegu lizard was first spotted in rural Hillsborough County nine years ago. But since then reports have become more frequent.

The South American invader can grow up to four-and-a-half feet long and lays up to fifty eggs at a time.

Residents have seen them chowing down on local birds and animals and many fear their pets may be on the menu.

Biologists are setting traps in the Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve to try to determine how big the problem is.

As the weather heats up, the tegus will start coming out of their burrows ready to feed.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/24828422/tegu-lizard-beginning-to-overrun-parts-of-florida#ixzz2uSaw4UJj
Follow us: @fox5newsdc on Twitter | myfoxdc on Facebook