‘He’s going to turn up’: Little Ray’s determined to find missing Nile monitor lizard

If you happen to spot a funny looking" feline with no fur and a long tail strolling the streets of Hamilton, you're probably mistaken.

It's mostly likely Markhor, the Nile monitor lizard that's been on the lam from Little Ray's Reptile Zoo and Nature Centre for four weeks and counting.

The male lizard escaped the facility located at the corner of Barton Street East and Gage Avenue North on the morning of June 19 as a senior staff member was cleaning his habitat. It's believed the reptile sauntered out of the building through a door that was slightly ajar.

Staff had searched the building and the surrounding area, but to no avail.

Markhor is described as being a little over three-feet long, weighing in at about three pounds and is approximately five years old. Nile monitors, which are native to sub-Saharan Africa and found along the Nile, do not pose a threat to humans or other animals.

Speaking to The Spectator on Friday, CEO Paul Goulet said there have been no signs of the lizard yet - but they're still holding out hope that he'll be found.

I still believe he's out there on the loose and that he's going to turn up," said Goulet, who's also known as Little Ray.

That notion is based on the hunch that the lizard is still alive, which according to Goulet, he very well could be. With warm balmy temperatures hanging over Hamilton, Markhor could survive outside for months, he added.

But for how long exactly?

As much as it pains me to say it, but until he freezes to death," Goulet said.

Until then, Goulet said Markhor could hold his own, calling him a pretty resourceful" reptile. With a powerful sense of smell, he could sniff out pet food to munch away on or make a meal out of roadkill. He could also eat grubs, insects and mice.

Even if he wasn't able to find any food - which would be unlikely - the lizard could go months without eating, according to Goulet.

He's got a great body weight," he said. If he didn't eat anything, he could live a minimum of six months."

The lizard could have also travelled a decent" distance away from the nature centre. Monitor lizards, considered foragers, spend a majority of their time walking at a pace just a tad bit slower than a person.

Thanks to an efficient" cardiovascular system, Markhor could spend up to three hours wandering without stopping, said Goulet. And being diurnal, he's active in the daytime. The lizard could have also found a pond to call home, as he's an exceptional swimmer."

But would he likely have gone far?

Probably not," he said. If he had covered a lot of ground in a neighbourhood-type area you'd think someone would have seen him."

Goulet said the team has also considered two other possible fates for the lizard.

One could have seen Markhor picked up by a resident and taken in - but the lizards don't make ideal" pets, so it likely wouldn't last long, he added.

Goulet said the lizard could have also been killed by a resident's dog or cat. If that were the case, they'd be thankful" if someone did come forward.

We'd obviously be upset for the lizard, but it wouldn't be their pet's fault if they had an encounter with (him)," he said, while acknowledging the possibility that Markhor could have been killed by a large raccoon or even a coyote.

Despite no word on the lizard's whereabouts as of Friday, Goulet said his team is still hopeful" Markhor will be found. The team still searches for the lizard on the daily, he added.

If you see a really funny looking cat with no fur, that walks really low to the ground and has a long tail, it's probably not a cat," said Goulet. If they could let us know, we'd really appreciate it."

To report a lizard sighting, residents are asked to call animal control or contact Little Ray's directly by calling 613-807-6889

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com