Ajmer, June 5: Panic gripped Shivlok Colony in Rajasthan’s Kishangarh town after a two-foot-long Indian monitor lizard, locally known as Goyra, emerged from a toilet pot in a residential home. The startling incident occurred at the residence of Garvit Kumawat, leaving his family terrified for over 45 minutes.
The family was alerted by strange noises coming from the bathroom. Upon inspection, they were shocked to find the large reptile partially emerged from the toilet. In a state of panic, the family immediately called for help.
A sanitation worker arrived and, after nearly 10 minutes of careful effort, managed to safely rescue the lizard. It was later released in a secure location. Officials believe the reptile entered the home through the sewer line.
Following the incident, locals demanded that civic authorities inspect the area’s drainage and sewage systems to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Known by different names across India—goh in Punjab and Bihar, guishaap in West Bengal, and bis-cobra in the west—the Indian monitor lizard is a non-venomous species. Though its forked tongue and size can appear intimidating, it poses no significant threat to humans. These reptiles are excellent climbers and swimmers, typically feeding on insects, small animals, and birds.
Such cases are not unprecedented. In recent years, similar incidents have been reported globally. In 2023, an Australian family found a four-foot snake in their toilet, while in 2022, a couple in Thailand witnessed a monitor lizard crawling out of their toilet seat—an event that went viral on social media.
Experts advise residents to cover drain openings and report any strange noises from plumbing fixtures to authorities, especially in areas near vegetation or open sewers.