In a small tourist town northwest of Colorado Springs, a six foot long Nile monitor lizard has escaped from his home. This 25-pound pet lizard, named Dino, broke away from his mesh leash and slipped away. Asheriffhas issued a warning to the residents of the Woodland Park area, saying that the lizard is “strong,” “muscular” and “aggressive.” It feeds on small animals, which can include dogs and cats. Also, the lizard has never bitten a person before, but sheriff Ensinger speculates that it may happen.”We have a six foot reptile out and about,” Ensinger said. “If it gets hungry enough, we don’t know what it will do.”
The Nile monitors are originally from Africa. They have sharp claws and strong jaws that clamp down on prey, which can includecarrion, crocodile eggs, fish, birds and small rodents.Its forked tongue and thick tail add to a dragon-like appearance.Since reptiles are cold-blooded, Nile monitors need to stand in the sun to soak up the heat, so animal-control officers are searching rock outcroppings during the daytime.
Hopefully Dino will be found and brought home safely without injuring anything or anyone!