Alameda police were recently called to a home where the former tenants had reportedly left behind a large Komodo dragon.
When police arrived, it turned out to be a young ornate Nile monitor — a lizard species that grows up to 7 feet long.
“Due to the reptile’s size and aggression, our team devised a plan to safely secure the animal,” police said in a news release.
The lizards have powerful bites, strong claws, and forceful tails that can cause injuries. Police warned that such animals are not suitable for beginner reptile keepers — and never appropriate for children.
The monitor is now safely housed at the East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley, police said.