Police in Greater Manchester are looking for a 5ft long aggressive alligator that has been stolen with an array of other exotic reptiles from a pet shop.
The alligator – a cuvier's dwarf caiman – was taken along with snakes and lizards from Stockport Pet Warehouse in Heaviley on Monday night.
Shop worker Paul Williamson described the caiman as aggressive. A 7ft yellow anaconda, carpet pythons and some smaller snakes were also stolen along with two tortoises.
He said in the four years that he has worked at the shop he's never picked up the caiman, which was not for sale, as it is aggressive.
"I wouldn't want to physically go in there and pull it out - they're not the biggest animal in the world, but they can do a lot of damage," he said.
"They're very powerful, very strong and they've obviously got huge teeth, so if they bite, the next place for you go to is hospital."
He said he was concerned about the welfare of the reptiles as, although they could go without food for several weeks, they "need heat".
"Because it is winter, they will need special heating requirements," he added.
Detective Sergeant David Jordan, of Greater Manchester Police, said that anyone coming across the animals "should take care and inform the authorities immediately".
"We are appealing to anyone with information, and indeed to anyone who may know who is behind this very tenacious burglary," he said.
"The offenders must have used implements to force their way in and the animals themselves have a very high monetary value."
The cuvier's dwarf caiman originates from South America and males grow to 5ft 2in but the adult females are slightly smaller.
