Why it's awesome: Earless monitor lizards are dragon-like reptiles that are so rare they're dubbed the "Holy Grail" of herpetology — the study of reptiles and amphibians.

The lizard rescued from the side of the freeway was reunited with his owner, the Phoenix Herpetological Society, who conducted the rescue, said Thursday.

After a large monitor lizard was recently liberated from the side of Loop 101, people are wondering what monitors are and whether they belong.