Police officers in the Bay Area responded to an unusual call about a “Komodo dragon” spotted inside a local home, but what they discovered was quite different.
When Alameda Police and animal control arrived, they found a large reptile clinging to venetian blinds. After checking, officials confirmed it was a young Ornate Nile Monitor, not a Komodo dragon.
These reptiles can reach up to seven feet long and possess sharp claws, powerful tails, and strong bites, making them unsafe as pets.
Authorities believe the exotic lizard had been left behind by former tenants. The department reminded the public that such reptiles need expert care and should never be kept by beginners or around children.
The monitor now lives safely at Berkeley’s East Bay Vivarium, where it’s receiving proper care and attention, a much happier ending for the unexpected visitor.
