A Four-foot long pet lizard on the loose has sparked panic among sunbathing locals.
The fully-grown Tegu lizard – named Echo – is likely to whip strangers with her powerful tale.
She escaped after digging out of her cage.
Animal rescue workers have joined the owner Siobhan Harkness in the hunt for her.
She has been missing for three days in Workington, Cumbria.
Local Debbie Margaret Milburn said: “Oh just imagine sitting in your garden and seeing this running towards you.”
Bert Quigley said: “I think that despite the warning, anyone having this coming lurching at them will break the 100m sprint.”
Jean Tyson said: “Oh my God I hope it’s found safe.
“I will literally scream.
“I don’t like crocs or alligators so seeing this would send me over the edge.”
The black and white Tegu are said to be one of the most intelligent species of lizard.
They are native to Central and South America but their temperament makes them popular pets.
But they are known to eat birds and eggs.
Siobhan, owner of Pet Encounter Cumbria has appealed for locals to be on the lookout for her pet.
She said: “Could people please keep an eye out for Echo our Tegu!
“She’s escaped out of our garden.
“She loves to go underneath things and go to sleep, which is what I think she is doing now.”
Worried Siobhan added: “She can’t have gone far and is in the area.
“But with that many hiding places, it would be amazing if everyone could keep an eye out for her and hopefully, she will turn up soon.”
She said she is “absolutely knackered” after searching round the clock for her.
She is intending to up the search using a drone with a thermal imaging camera.
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