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.