The San Diego Zoo has positively identified a lizard found in a Rancho Bernardo yard as a potentially dangerous reptile called the “Mexican beaded lizard”, according to county officials.
A resident found the reptile while doing yard work at a home in the 12,800 block of Lunada Place, according to Lt. Dan DeSousa of San Diego County Animal Services.
“They called our department and said they had a Gilo Monster,” said DeSousa.
He said the officer was a little suspicious.
“So she called the folks up and said, are you sure it’s a Gilo Monster and not an iguana?” DeSousa said. “They said no, we googled it. It’s a Gilo monster.”
The Gilo Monster and beaded lizard are very similar in appearance. And both venomous.
The big question: How did he get there?
“A Mexican beaded lizard is from the southern portion of Mexico. So someone obviously picked this thing up or had it as a pet. Those are the questions we don’t know,” said DeSousa.
Local
DeSousa says it is illegal to possess a venomous animal under county law.
On Tuesday night, the officers moved the lizard to the San Diego County Zoo.
Keep up to date on breaking news: Follow us on Twitter @nbcsandiego, fan us on Facebook, sign up for our breaking news e-mail alerts or text SDBREAKING to 622339 to receive text messages for local breaking news. (For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.)
