COLD-BLOODED South American immigrants have invaded South Carolina!
Mammoth tegu lizards that hail from Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are now wandering free in the Palmetto State, wreaking havoc on the natural ecosystem!
The non-native reptiles can grow as long as five feet and have no natural predators, leaving them free to munch on a variety of eggs, including those from alligators, quail, turkeys and other ground-nesting birds. They also have a taste for fruits, vegetables, plants, small animals, pet food and endangered gopher tortoises.
Officials have confirmed 32 out of some 114 reported sightings, most of which are the Argentine black and white tegu, but a few red ones have also been spotted.
Unlike a lot of other lizards, tegu can withstand cold by raising their body temperature, allowing them…