Invasive Lizard from a Continent Away Found Hiking in California Park

The Argentine black and white tegu was the subject of a five-day-long search at Joseph D. Grant County Park in Northern California

An escaped Argentine tegu has been found “safe and sound” in a park in Santa Clara County, Northern California.

The large invasive black and white lizard, which is native to South America, was first spotted in Joseph D. Grant County Park earlier in June, reported The Sacramento Bee. Park rangers then undertook a five-day search for the reptile, sharing numerous updates about their quest via Facebook.

Santa Clara County Parks posted on June 7 that a “group of hikers” had initially seen the monochrome tegu and shared some snaps of the creature. The post added that the “non-native” reptiles generally eat “bird eggs, small birds, small lizards, and various small mammals and invertebrates.”

Rangers assured park-goers that tegus are generally “docile” but added that they “do not belong in county parks,” so they urged anyone who spotted the animal to tell department staff.

A subsequent update on June 7 urged the public not to hunt the tegu or try to trap it, adding that “park rangers are actively conducting foot patrols around Grant Lake to locate it.”

Meanwhile, on June 11, the search was still ongoing, with a Facebook update noting that park rangers were “working collaboratively with state and local agencies to locate and safely remove the tegu.”

Finally, on June 12, Santa Clara County Parks shared on Facebook that officials located the tegu on the dam at Grant Lake in Joseph D. Grant County Park. Rangers added that the reptile had been “safely” captured.

“The tegu will be held by Santa Clara County Animal Services pending adoption should no rightful owner claim the reptile. The Department is thrilled that the tegu was found safe and sound and is on its way to finding a home,” the post concluded.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, tegus can grow to 4 feet long and weigh as much as 10 lbs. The agency added that the reptiles generally carry Salmonella bacteria and are a threat to wildlife.

Joseph D. Grant County Park covers 10,882 acres and is about 60 miles southeast of San Francisco.