Georgia homeowner finds 3ft tegu lizard hiding under porch

An Argentine black and white tegu in Bangkok. They have a sharp bite and their long tails can whip quickly and cause injury. Photograph: Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images

An oblivious Georgia homeowner was unaware a huge 3ft tegu lizard had taken up residence under her porch until eagle-eyed children in the neighborhood spotted it and told her, state wildlife officials said.

The reptile was a non-native Argentine black and white tegu, the largest of its species that can grow up to 5ft and pose a threat to wildlife and people, the officials reported.