An alligator-sized monitor lizard is terrorising a Florida family with repeated visits

A terrified Florida family has enlisted the help of trappers, hunting dogs and state wildlife officers to try to catch an enormous monitor lizard that has made repeated visits to their home in Davie.

It’s an estimated 2 metres long, weighs approximately 70kg and has shown up in their backyard at least three times in the last two weeks, said Zachary Lieberman.

“It’s scary,” he said. “It’s big.”

The Liebermans live near the Pine Island Ridge Natural Area.

“It’s probably somebody’s pet that got loose,” he said.

Monitor lizards are not native to Florida, according to wildlife officials. The reptiles – which are normally found in Asia, Africa and Australasia – eat small animals, birds, fish, rodents and eggs, and have no natural predators in Florida.