US federal officials say they have arrested a man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest to get through customs at Los Angeles International Airport.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service reported on Friday that 40-year-old Michael Plank of Lomita, California, was returning from Australia last Tuesday when US customs agents found two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks – another type of lizard – fastened to his upper body.

Plank has been released on $10,000 bond and will be arraigned in federal court on 21 December.

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.