Is the Viral ‘Fire-Breathing’ Lizard Video Real? The Truth Behind the AI-Generated ‘Dragon’ Clip
A viral video of a 'fire-breathing' spiny lizard is confirmed to be AI-generated. Despite claims from social media users that the footage was filmed in Laguna Beach, the clip originated from creator Pouya Hashemi and was later flagged with a 'Made with AI' disclaimer by LAD Bible. There is no biological evidence of fire-breathing reptiles.
A video purportedly showing a spiny lizard breathing fire has gone viral on social media, sparking a global debate over the existence of "real-life dragons." The footage, shared by Pouya Hashemi on February 24, 2026, shows a close-up of a reptile emitting realistic flames and smoke. While the clip has amassed millions of views and prompted claims of authenticity from some viewers, entertainment website LAD Bible has identified the video as a product of artificial intelligence.
The video was first uploaded to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram by Pouya Hashemi with captions expressing disbelief, such as "Glad I caught this on video." The high-definition clip shows the lizard perched on a rock, opening its mouth to release a steady stream of fire.
The post quickly gained traction, with Hashemi encouraging media outlets to contact him for licensing rights. The realistic lighting of the flames reflecting off the lizard's scales led many users to question if a new species or a biological anomaly had been discovered. Did a Fire-Breathing ‘Dragon’ Enter a House in Chambal? Viral Video Is AI-Generated, Reveals Fact Check.
Claims of Authenticity
As the video circulated, several social media users claimed to have firsthand knowledge of the creature. One user, identifying as a resident of Laguna Beach, California, claimed the "dragon" was a local fixture named "Kenny" and that news agencies were swarming the area.
Another commenter, claiming to be an NBC News field reporter, stated that AI detection tools had verified the footage as "100% real." However, these claims remained unverified, and no major news organisation, including NBC, has reported on a fire-breathing reptile in California or elsewhere.
Not Real, But AI-Generated Video
Despite the convincing visuals, skeptics pointed out technical inconsistencies. One of the viewers noted that the audio of the fire was unusually clear for a video supposedly filmed from a distance. "
The definitive debunking came when the entertainment platform LAD Bible shared the footage. While the outlet credited Hashemi for the visual, they included a clear "Made with AI" disclaimer. Did a Monkey Save a Rabbit From a Komodo Dragon? Viral Video Is AI-Generated, Reveals Fact Check.
The Rise of AI Realism
The "Fire-Breathing Lizard" incident follows a trend of hyper-realistic AI-generated nature videos that frequently go viral. Similar to the recent "Seedance 2.0" controversy, these clips use "joint audio-video generation" to create synchronized sound effects, making it increasingly difficult for the average viewer to distinguish between real wildlife photography and synthetic media.
Fact check
A spiny lizard was caught on camera breathing fire.
A viral video of a \'fire-breathing\' spiny lizard is confirmed to be AI-generated.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 25, 2026 05:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).