The Santa Clara County Parks Department is investigating a sighting of an Argentine black and white tegu lizard, a large invasive species originally from South America. Hikers reported the sighting at Joseph D. Grant County Park. While non-aggressive to humans, these lizards are known to prey on bird eggs and small animals, making them detrimental to local wildlife. Although they are legal to own in California, they can disrupt native ecosystems. The department cautions the public to report sightings rather than attempt to capture the lizard.
The Argentine black and white tegu is a large predatory lizard species that poses risks to native wildlife in California and should not be in county parks.
Though they are legal to own in California, Argentine tegus are unwanted in the wild due to their impact as efficient egg predators on local ecosystems.
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