FLORIDA KEYS KEYNOTER (Marathon, Florida) 19 October 13 Invasive tegu lizard is nabbed (Kevin Wadlow)
The days of freedom for a South American reptile that made itself a home in a Key Largo neighborhood ended Tuesday evening.
A tegu lizard, considered an invasive exotic species in Florida, was captured near the intersection of Fisherman's Trail and Ocean Shores Drive, on the oceanside off mile marker 99.
The tegu measured more than a yard long but about 60 percent of that was tail, said Jim Duquesnel, a local invasive-species biologist.
"I just grabbed it behind the neck so he couldn't bite me," said Duquesnel, who previously handled tegus during studies.
"Tegus usually are firm and powerful," he said. "This one was more of a couch potato -- soft and flabby."
The black-and-white tegu first spotted Oct. 10 later was confirmed as escaped pet. The 4.4-pound Key Largo tegu wandered through neighborhoods but apparently did not venture far. Duquesnel, joined by student volunteer Chris Burgess, searched for the reptile and laid out several traps in the area.
A reported sighting Monday "was less than 100 yards" from where it was captured more than 24 hours later, Duquesnel said.
Established tegu breeding colonies in south Miami-Dade County and other Florida communities make it an invasive species of concern to state biologists.
As an omnivore, tegus "eat anything from insects to rodents and eggs so they are a threat to our native species," said Carli Segelson of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "They don't belong here."
Key Largo resident Heather Seal called the FWC with the Tuesday sighting that led to the reptile's capture. The tegu was turned over to state biologists.
Sightings of tegus, monitor lizards and other invasive species should be reported to the toll-free hotline: (888) 483-4681 or online at www.IveGot1.org. A free mobile-phone app is available.
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