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What Did An Alleged Alligator Terrifying A Washington Neighborhood Turn Out To Be?

Author Cort Freeman
What Did An Alleged Alligator Terrifying A Washington Neighborhood Turn Out To Be? (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage)

What did an alleged alligator terrifying a Washington neighborhood turn out to be? It turns out, there was no reason to panic.

In states like Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina it’s pretty common to come across an alligator. People in those states know to be alert. However, gators aren’t as common in the state of Washington. So, a neighborhood was freaking out when they believed the saw an alligator terrifying a Washington neighborhood. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. What did it turn out to be? Find out below!

What Did An Alleged Alligator Terrifying A Washington Neighborhood Turn Out To Be?

No, it wasn’t a 10 foot alligator roaming around a neighborhood in Granite Falls, Washington. It was just a large pet lizard! A neighborhood was in panic and freaking out and the whole time it was just someone’s pet lizard out for a leisurely stroll, per People.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office took to X (formerly Twitter) informing residents that they are investigating the sighting of a 10′ alligator. The reptile was last seen south of Ray Grade Rd toward the Pilchuck River. No further information at this time.” The post included a photo showing a large reptile in a sunny marshy area.

Eventually, the whole thing was cleared up when someone on a Facebook group clarified the misunderstanding. The reptile in question was actually a pet lizard owned by Shanna Duncan, and its name is Tazz. Per Forbes, Duncan’s Facebook post read, “His name is Tazz and he is very, very tame. He is not dangerous and a very beloved family pet. Please do not hurt him if you see him. Please contact me here or animal control.”

Tazz is a white Argentine tegu and not an alligator, but they do share some resemblance. Despite people claiming they saw a 10-foot alligator, it was actually only a 4-foot lizard. If I saw it out in the wild, I could think it’s an alligator so I can’t blame anyone. According to People, these tegus are usually non-aggressive towards humans but do have 2 large venom glands but it’s not strong enough to harm humans.

Tazz has since been returned home safely. Duncan thanked the town for coming together to save her pet and says it was like something out of a movie.

Cort Freeman was born and raised in Metro Detroit. He was named Clarkston High School 2009 Class Clown 13 years after graduating. Totally normal thing to happen. That’s thanks to his time spent as an Intern at Comedy Central and Social Media Correspondent for The Colbert Report. Cort has done comedy across the country, both standing up and sitting down. When he’s not trying to make you laugh on-air and online, he’s probably at home enjoying his favorite shows like Seinfeld, South Park, and The Office. He’s also totally uncomfortable writing about himself in the third person. Cort enjoys writing about comedy, food, sports, and entertainment. So, basically anything and everything.

5 Animals In North America That Could Kill You

Oh, America the beautiful. Across our wonderful continent of North America you’ll find amazing, adorable animals. However, you’ll also find creatures that are incredibly dangerous. Here are 5 animals in North America that could kill you.

Now, just because they can kill you doesn’t mean they’re out to do it. Yet, it means they have the possibility of doing so! So, it’s best to be aware!

5 Animals In North America That Could Kill You

Well, some of these animals you’re probably already well aware could kill you. However, some of these animals you might not know can kill you. Or, maybe you don’t know they’re actually around! Hey, like NBC used to say, “The More You Know.”

Naturally, there are many more than 5 animals in North America capable of killing you. There are countless. Some may be big powerful animals. Others may be poisonous. It’s important to know what’s out there. These animals could be lurking in your basement. They could be outside your home. Or, they could be all the way across the country from you and pose absolutely no risk of danger or harm.

Of course, when you only select five animals to talk about, you’re leaving a lot on the cutting room floor. So, you won’t hear about any sharks on the list. We know they can kill you. Additionally, jaguars, mountain lions, and American Bison didn’t make the list. That’s right. Bison can kill you, and they have! Not only are Bison huge animals, but they also have horns! Several ways they can take you out. It’s not just limited to a stampede.

Furthermore, I’m counting an “animal” as anything in the Animal Kingdom. They may be reptiles, amphibians, insects, and more. I’m counting them all as animals. I don’t want to hear that “technically, arachnids aren’t animals” or anything. Let’s just relax and have fun.

These 5 Animals Found In America Could Kill You

  • Grizzly Bears

    Grizzly Bears are incredibly dangerous! They’re also massive. They have sharp claws. Additionally, they have very sharp teeth and brute strength. There is no shortage in the ways a Grizzly could kill you. They’re very popular up in Alaska and Western Canada.

  • Alligators

    Alligators are dangerous animals. They’re ancient, smart, and deadly. According to USA Today, alligators have been responsible for 33 human deaths in the last 50 years. Not a great way to go. They’re quicker than you’d think. Then, sneaky, too! Uh oh.

  • Arizona Bark Scorpions

    These small light brown scorpions are deadly! They have venom that is painful and potentially deadly. You don’t want to be stung by one of these. Note that they are nocturnal and are common in southern California, southern Arizona, southern Nevada, and parts of Utah and New Mexico. Black lights can help you spot them at night.

  • Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

    This species of rattlesnake is endemic to the Southeastern United States. Of course, there are other common rattlesnakes found across the country that are also deadly. They like to live in upland dry pine forests, flatwoods, sandhills, and coastal maritime hammocks. Also, they are excellent swimmers! So, don’t try to get away by swimming. They’ll catch you! It’s said to be the most dangerous venomous snake in all of North America.

  • Brown Recluse Spider

    The Brown Recluse Spider has necrotic venom. Their bites will often require medical attention. It is one of three spiders in North America with dangerous venom along with the Black Widow and Chilean Recluse. They’re mostly found in the Central United States. They are very dangerous and harmful to the older community and younger individuals. They’re typically between 6 and 20 millimeters.

 

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