(CNN) South Carolina officials have documented the first confirmed sighting of a black and white tegu lizard, a non-native species that can have a detrimental impact on the state's wildlife. "The introduction of any non-native species can have serious negative impacts on native wildlife. The lizards, native to South America, are voracious omnivores that hunt birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Along with posing a risk to native species, they may also spread exotic parasites to native wildlife or even cause the bacterial contamination of crops. Black and white tegu lizards established themselves in Georgia and Florida, "likely as a result of release or escape," according to the news release.

Source: CNN August 23, 2020 20:48 UTC