'Mating lizards' halt take-off in Saudi Arabia

The two amorous reptiles had no concern for the jet they were blocking. File photo / iStock

A pair of lizards mating on a runway showed no concern when their amorous actions caused a pilot to delay take-off.

The pair of reptiles were spotted in the act of love at Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport's runway in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

A short clip posted of the incident shows the desert lizards intertwined with each other in front of a Boeing passenger jet.

When approached, one lizard quickly scuttles away while the other chooses to stand its ground.

However, when confronted by a police car, the second reptile also made a quick exit.

According to Emirates247, the strange sight was reported by a female passenger on the aircraft, who took a photo on her phone and showed a flight attendant who passed it on to the pilot.

"The pilot came to the rear of the aircraft and saw the lizard strolling on the runway. He aborted take-off until a police car came and expelled the lizard," she said.

The flight took off shortly after with no incidents.

- nzherald.co.nz