GIANT LIZARD SWIMMING IN ARIZONA MAN’S POOL

A Peoria, Arizona homeowner got quite the surprise when a giant lizard decided to take a swim in his backyard pool. Eric Johnson said he was doing yardwork when he heard a loud splash that “sounded like a baseball jumping in the pool.” What he discovered was an Asian water monitor, believed to be the second-largest lizard species in the world behind the Komodo dragon.

Johnson watched from a safe distance as the massive reptile comfortably swam in the pool, climbed out on its own, and relaxed in the sun. Although the lizard appeared calm, experts say staying back was the smart move. Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary officials warned that water monitors can become defensive if threatened and are equipped with sharp teeth and claws.

The species is not native to Arizona, leading experts to believe the reptile was an escaped pet. After about 20 minutes, the lizard climbed a tree and disappeared from the yard.