Giant tegus lizards are spreading across Florida

It looks like large lizards are taking over the Tampa area!

Rescue volunteers say the reptiles are an invasive species called "tegus." They're from South America, but are making Hillsborough County their new home.

"There is probably four or five in our yard a week," said volunteer, Marvel Stewart.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials say the lizards are breeding quickly, laying anywhere from 25 to 50 eggs at a time.

But the bigger problem is humans!

FWC says people are purchasing them as pets, then releasing them into the wild when they get too big. Sometimes, the lizards grow up to four feet.

http://youtu.be/39c32KKMkqM

Tegus have been spotted dozens of times around homes and in preserves. While they may only eat plants, wildlife experts say they're destroying ecosystems and other wildlife.

"What we do when we see them is we kill them," said Stewart.

FWC is now working to trap them, hoping to stop them from breeding. Neighbors are also trying to get rid of them, reportedly shooting lizards that have wandered onto private property.