The Lizards of Oz

Apparently, you can get through American airport security with al-Qaeda T-shirts and Islamic Jihad flags, but not through Customs with concealed lizards strapped to your body:

Federal officials say they arrested a man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest to get through customs at Los Angeles International Airport. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Friday that 40-year-old Michael Plank of Lomita, Calif., was returning from Australia when U.S. Customs agents found two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks - another type of lizard - fastened to his body Tuesday. ... Authorities say the lizards' value totals more than $8,500. All Australian reptiles are strictly regulated and Plank did not have a permit for them.

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2009/11/the-lizards-of-oz/30760/