DAILY ITEM (Lynn, Massachusetts) 11 July 05 Three-foot lizard bagged while browsing for computers in Saugus (Jill Casey)
Saugus: The question is still out as to whether there really are alligators swimming in New York City sewers or ever was. But don't let anyone tell you the one about the 3-foot African lizard walking into a computer store in Saugus is an urban myth.
"They called and said there was a 3- foot lizard in the store. We thought it was a roost, somebody giving us a hard time," said Lt. Steve Sweezey of the Saugus Police Department, describing a bizarre animal complaint they received around 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
As it turns out, the reptile was a Savannah Monitor, a large reptile indigenous to Africa. Most species of Savannah Monitors are classified as "endangered" or "threatened" and are illegal in Massachusetts, but sold in places like New York, ranging in price from $50 up to a couple hundred dollars.
According to Sweezey, the lizard walked into New England Computer Depot at 184 Broadway, where employees managed to corral it into a cardboard box until police arrived. An employee from J.J. Fruits, located in the same shopping plaza, saw the curious critter stroll into the store.
"They looked outside and saw this thing walking in," Sweezey said.
Sweezey thinks the 12-pound lizard was attempting to escape the hot parking lot when it crawled into the store, but has no idea where the lizard came from.
"Either it got too big for someone or it crawled out of a car," said Sweezey, who picked it up with gloves on his hands back at the station as the lizard stuck his tongue out.
The Web site, petreptiles.com, said the Savannah Monitor can be aggressive and difficult to handle, but recommended it as a pet to "dedicated" reptile enthusiasts.
The lizard spent last night at PJ Pets on Route 1. Saugus Police were going to contact an official from Mass Wildlife to take custody of the lizard today.
According to Larry Kendall, a manager at the pet store, these types of lizards can grow to 5 feet in length and are meat eaters. "Basically it's a big alligator looking thing," he said.
As for how the lizard was doing in his temporary quarters Sunday night, Kendall said it appeared to be just "chilling."
Three-foot lizard bagged while browsing for computers in Saugus