A large reptile has officials on high alert in a Maine town, authorities shared on social media. Calling the animal a "large lizard on the loose," the Old Town Police Department shared on Sunday, Aug. 24 that the reptile is a tegu lizard. Someone called police around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24 about a large lizard under their porch, Bailey told USA TODAY. As of Aug. 25, the lizard has not been found, Bailey said. It was initially believed to be a monitor lizard, but witness accounts have shown otherwise, the department said. Tegu lizards like this one have sharp teeth and claws, as well as strong jaws, police shared online at7:15 p.m. on Aug. 24. While they are not "inherently aggressive," they can lash out when they feel threatened. They can grow to be 2, 3, and sometimes 4½ feet long, according to wildlife experts. "The owner subsequently contacted us to confirm that the Tegu lizard belonged to him," Bailey wrote, adding that the owner is an Old Town resident. Bailey said those who see the lizard should not approach it. Police have been in contact with the Maine Warden Service and an animal control officer to create a plan to "safely capture the lizard" once it is found, Bailey told USA TODAY. "Our plan involves using a catch pole to guide the lizard into a large crate," he said. We believe the lizard is possibly hunkered down somewhere and will likely come out when the sun shines again, as Tegu lizards enjoy basking in the sun." Tegus are often hunted for skins, local consumption, and sometimes, the commercial pet trade, according to theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN). Tegus, an invasive creature, have been introduced inFlorida, and can be considered harmful and invasive to birds and mammals when released, the IUCN said. They are found in places such as Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, according to theEverglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area(CISMA), which researches invasive species across South Florida. Three common tegu species found in the U.S. include the: Argentine black and white tegu – Grows up to 4 feet long, is black and white with banding along its tail. Hatchlings have green on their heads which fades after a few months. Gold tegu – Grows 2 to 3 feet long and has black and gold stripes down its body. Red tegu – Grows up to 4½ feet long; males have large jowls. Tegus eat fruits, vegetables, eggs, insects, dog or cat food, and small animals like lizards and rodents, according to CISMA. They spend most of the time on land but can swim and may stay submerged under water for long periods of time. During colder months, they are most active during the day and spend colder months in a burrow or under cover. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia–the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Lizard on the loose' has authorities searching in Old Town, Maine
