Bright orange creature — an unexpected guest — seen hanging out in Colorado state park

This non-native intruder was easy to spot.

A bright orange 3-foot-long iguana weighing 10 pounds was spotted on a tree limb at Colorado’s Cherry Creek State Park near Denver, Arapahoe County animal control officers said on Twitter, now rebranded as X.

But Cori Wylde, an animal control officer who responded to the report Wednesday, Aug. 16, wasn’t alarmed — she once had a pet iguana, officials said.

Wylde captured the errant reptile, which is now being held at the animal shelter. If it goes unclaimed by its owner, the lizard will be turned over to a rescue organization.

Photos posted by the agency show the bright orange iguana on a fence post and being held by Wylde at the shelter.

Iguanas are some of the world’s largest lizards, according to AZ Animals.

“Depending on their species, iguanas can reach anywhere from 7 inches to a whopping 6 feet long and weigh between 0.5 pounds and 15 pounds,” AZ Animals said.

Cherry Creek State Park, which includes a reservoir, is about 15 miles southeast of Denver.

This story was originally published August 20, 2023 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Bright orange creature — an unexpected guest — seen hanging out in Colorado state park."