Huge Lizard That Terrified Neighbors Finally Caught

Florida authorities say it's an escaped pet
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 10, 2018 11:24 AM CST
Officers Corner Huge Lizard That Terrified Neighbors
In this Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 image provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, an escaped pet Asian water monitor lizard is shown after it was captured.   (Eric Suarez/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission via AP)

Florida authorities have caught a huge lizard that has terrified residents of a suburban Miami neighborhood for months, the AP reports. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Thursday the Asian water monitor lizard measures more than 8 feet long. The lizard is an escaped pet. It was first reported loose in August in a Davie neighborhood. Residents said it lurked in their backyards and scratched at their patio doors. Wildlife officers and Davie police officers caught it Tuesday after getting a tip from a resident who said the lizard frequently appeared on his property around midday.

A wildlife commission statement says the lizard will be returned to its owner, who received a criminal citation for its escape. Owners must have cages to keep these lizards as pets. It's illegal to release nonnative species in Florida.

(More lizard stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X