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The Venom Unit was able to capture the lizard using a dog crate.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokeswoman Erika Benitez said the lizard was checked out by a veterinarian and turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
"Black throat monitor lizards are native to east Africa -- Tanzania, to be exact," Benitez told WPLG-TV. "Like all monitors, if not handled regularly, black throat monitors can become aggressive and lash out at you with their tails, puff up their body, hiss and even deliver a nasty bite. But despite their ability to really hurt you, black throat monitors are known to be pretty docile and have mild temperaments in captivity."
It was unclear how the lizard ended up on the plane. Authorities did not say where the plane had been before arriving at the airport.