An exotic, "plump" tegu lizard described as being "quite a treat" is awaiting a reunion with its owner after it was found wandering in a Fontana yard over the weekend.
Fontana police were called out Sunday for a "lizard in a front yard" and expected to find a small iguana or bearded dragon, said Jamie Simmons, supervising Animal Services officer at the Fontana Police Department.
Instead, they found a giant lizard that comes from Argentina, a tegu.
"Fortunately, it was a very docile creature," Simmons told NBC4 on Tuesday. "Obviously, whoever owns it took very good care of it."
Tegu lizards are legal to own, can grow very large and have a wide girth, Simmons said. The lizard found in the 18000 block of Grenada Avenue in Fontana appears to be plump, yet not fully grown.
"He's a little plump, so I'm not sure what he was doing when he was out and about roaming the neighborhood," Simmons said, adding that the lizard is "quite a treat."
Simmons said they expect the reptile may have outgrown his enclosure and was venturing out, but they're just hoping to get it back to its rightful home.
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"We really hope the owner comes forward," she said.
The tegu lizard is now at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, where officials are feeling good about its potential reunion.
"We haven't nicknamed the lizard because I presume the owner will come sometime today," spokesman John Welsh said, adding that the shelter isn't 100 percent sure of its sex or age.
Anyone with information should call Fontana Police Department Animal Services at 909-350-7620 or Riverside County Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387.
Tegu lizard found in #Fontana. Hoping owner will come forward. Contact #FontanaPD Animal Services 909-350-7620 pic.twitter.com/FvDccpzylq — Fontana PD (@FontanaPD) March 23, 2015
Do you know who owns this lizard? #Fontana Animal Services Officers found it Sunday. Hoping owner will come forward. http://t.co/96zS4mb6rD — Fontana PD (@FontanaPD) March 24, 2015
