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Police are asking the public to report any sightings

5-foot-long iguana found in Raleigh (Raleigh Police Department)

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Jumping lizards! Police are asking the public to report any iguana sightings in Raleigh after two iguanas were found earlier this year.

Officials said their animal control unit responded to a call related to an iguana on Tuesday evening.


When they arrived, they said the herbivorous lizard was five feet long.

Police released a photo of the rescue.

5-foot-long iguana found in Raleigh (Raleigh Police Department)

This is not a typical call for wildlife officials in Raleigh, which raises many questions about where these large lizards come from.

According to the Florida Museum, green iguanas are native to Central America, tropical parts of South America and some eastern Caribbean islands.

Experts say iguanas are also found in several Florida counties, but are considered a native species to the Sunshine State after they were accidentally introduced by cargo ship from Cuba in the 1960s.

“The weather may be warm and humid, but this is not Florida!” said Raleigh police. “That iguana must have been confused.”

Anyone who sees an iguana in Raleigh is asked to report it to wildlife officials.