Maine Officials Warn 'Large Lizard' with 'Sharp Teeth' Is on the Loose in the State

Known for its lobsters, the state of Maine is making headlines because of a different creature.

According to Maine's Old Town Police Department, a "large lizard" is on the loose in the state. The authorities posted on Facebook about the reptile intruder on Aug 24.

"Large Lizard on the Loose," the Old Town Police Department wrote alongside a photo of the critter on a lawn. "This lizard was spotted in the area of Hillside Ave in Old Town this evening. Its current whereabouts are unknown."

The post goes on to admit that police officers initially thought the lizard was a monitor lizard, but determined, with some help from reptile-savvy commenters, that the creature is likely a tegu.

"We originally thought it was a Monitor lizard, although after hearing from many of you, we believe it's a Tegu. Tegus have sharp teeth and claws, and strong jaws. While not inherently aggressive, they can lash out if they feel threatened," the Old Town Police Department shared.

The agency added that anyone in Maine who spots the lizard shouldn't approach the reptile; instead, contact the Old Town Police Department, so the animal can be captured safely.

The police department told USA Today that it first became aware of the loose lizard from a concerned resident, who called the department after spotting the creature, which can grow up to 4 feet long, in their yard.

A representative from the police department told the outlet that an Old Town local has since contacted the police to claim the tegu as his escaped pet. Once the animal is located, the authorities plan to use "a catch pole to guide the lizard into a large crate," according to the Old Town police representative.

Per the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, tegus are legal to own as exotic pets in Maine, and appear on the state's unrestricted list, which is full of animals state residents can keep in capitivity without a permit as long as the animals are kept in "a humane and safe manner that does not jeopardize public health and safety, the welfare of the animal, or cause a public disturbance."

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Tegus aren't legal to own in all states. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission added tegus to its prohibited list in 2021 in response to the negative impact escaped, invasive tegus had on native wildlife in the state.

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