He's been wandering back and forth back and forth, all over the small little yard space, trying to find a way out.
This has happened twice before. The first time, he climbed up the wall and back on to the roof. The second time was the time we had the back door open and he came in and wouldn't leave.
This time, the back door is closed - we learned, but evidently, the lizard didn't - so he's not coming in.
And no, I haven't gotten close enough to tell if it's actually a he.
At any rate, he's been walking around back there, walking over and ruining plants for the last hour or so. He won't leave!
posted
Those are scary looking critters--I'm still creeped out by the size of the claws on the pics you posted!
Does the lizard appear dazed? Maybe hurt in the fall, and can't figure out how to get out? How big is this one?
Posts: 234 | Registered: Oct 2005
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She won't kill him-- it would probably bring down the blood vengance of the other lizards. Plus, she'd have to get close enough to, you know, kill him. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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OOoo....will you post the pictures again, or at least the link to the link of the pictures? I personally would laugh hysterically if that happened, but that's just me.
Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Get a shovel, lift him out of your yard, and set him down far, far away. If he tries to claw out your eyes, close them as tight as you can and chant, "I do believe in fairies, I do! I do!"
Posts: 767 | Registered: Oct 2003
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We've now figured out what all the commotion was earlier - I watched it try to climb up the wall, but then it fell over. From the noise, it's done this at least three times. I don't think it can get out, or at least, it hasn't figured out how yet. I think it's too heavy to climb up a wall - it just falls over.
It's been about an hour and a half since it landed down here.
The good thing is that it's leaving Oberon alone. Oberon, of course, is watching the lizard and wondering what the heck is going on, but has figured out that the lizard is no threat to him.
This is just... Seige by Lizard. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Um, this lizard is about four feet long. And no, I am NOT getting close enough to kill it. Cuz, you know, it could claw my throat out. Or break my legs. Or something. Nope. Ain't gonna make my day.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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That thing is awesome! Possibly, and this is just a suggestion, set up a ramp or something so he has some way to get over the fence. Stack chairs or something like that.
Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Sure, Evie, and I'll just go out back and do that. In easy reach of the thing so it can claw my eyes out.
In all seriousness, yes, it's a good idea, and no, I really don't mean to mock you, but I'm not willing to put my personal safety at risk. And if I went back there, it would be.
Oberon's safe - he can jump and run way way faster than I can, plus he apparently is small enough that the lizard doesn't find him at all threatening.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Croc Hunter aside, a four foot monitor is nothing to muck with, mate. I take it there's no animal control or zoo that could help you out?
Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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We don't have a barbecue. *hangs head in shame* Those things are notoriously difficult to acquire here, and locals just don't understand what barbecue is.
Although I could set a fire and roast him over a pit or something. The next door neighbors have that, although I'm really not sure what they burn in it.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I was thinking a pit, yes. Although I've got to admit I wouldn't be too interested in skewring him myself. I've heard that iguana tails make great steaks, though, and that thing's probably related.
Ela -- it's a roof lizard, of course. Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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TheTick Thanks, mate, I need that. *wipes tears*
IF animal control existed, they'd do nothing more than laugh at us. These lizards are everywhere, and lots of people have them living on their roofs. Heck, we've got at least two more up there now. If this one died or left or something, those other two would just have bigger hunting grounds until one of them fell off. If they left, then others would take over residency.
This is just a fact of life here.
But these are monitor lizards, then?
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Can they climb ladders? What if you gave him a ladder, either out the yard or back onto the roof?
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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KQ, I suggested that, and it didn't go over so well. I think the problem is just going out in the backyard in the first place.
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Actually, when I read the title of this thread, I thought you were talkin' 'bout one of those little anoles and couldn't figure out why you were making a big deal about it.
Posts: 767 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Um, big strong hairy husband is working, and that's his excuse. In reality, he's a big strong scaredy cat.
As far as he's concerned, it's no big deal. After all, he's a local, and this is just life as usual. He does, however, think I'm nuts for taking so many pictures.
I'm cleaning them up before I post them. I've taken over a hundred so far. Because, you know, that's my OCD. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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If I lived closer, I'd lend you my big strong macho husband. He's been bit by scarier teeth and scratched by larger claws than that lizard's got, and he's always wanted to be the Crocodile Hunter. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Oh crap. I should have started cooking lunch like a half hour ago. And I should have started washing dishes like a half hour before that. Oh no! He gets grumpy when he's not fed! And no, I'm not talking about the lizard - I'm talking about Fahim.
It's trying to climb up the glass again. We're scared it's going to eventually break the glass. Of course, it doesn't get very far, but does make a lot of rubbing noises as he slides down. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Good grief. That thing looks like a Komodo dragon or a Gila monster! "Lizard" it may be -- BIG lizard!
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Nope, kq, not usually. Plus I haven't cooked in three days - you know, period from hell and me whimpering on the couch - so I actually feel sorry for him for not having had decent meals in days. So cooking it is.
But the fish is almost done, the rice is, and the eggplant and the peppers are coming along nicely.
We haven't heard the lizard since the third time he tried to climb the windows and the sounds of him rubbing against the glass on his way down. We don't know if he's actually gone or if he's sunning himself somewhere just out of sight.
In all of this, after Oberon figured out that the lizard was no threat, he plopped himself down and watched the lizard going back and forth and back and forth and... Oberon's got hisself some free entertainmunt! Ayup!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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We still haven't heard the lizard since I mentioned it above. I can't tell if it's actually gone or just napping. I guess we'll find out eventually.
Anyway, nutcase that I am, I've gone through the photos & cropped 'em and posted them up on my website, so you can go take a look at them now. Cuz, ya know, I want you to feel my pain. So here they are.Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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WOW. Thaaat is a DINOSAUR. I thought you meant a cute gecko or little chameleon thing. That thing breathes fire, I'm sure of it.
Posts: 308 | Registered: Sep 2005
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Geckos are not cute. Neither are chameleons. We have both in this house.
This time, I got a very good look at its forked tongue - a good four or so inches outside of its mouth! Ew!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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About 3 this afternoon, a good five hours after this all began and two and a half hours after we last heard the lizard, I finally had the guts to actually go outside and check.
Yep, it was gone.
And yep, Oberon still has all his limbs.
The lizard managed to climb his way out without falling off the wall - yay! And then we heard more noises from the roof, which is usually lizard, but since there are three up there most of the time, I can't say with certainty that our fallen lizard was among them.
But he's no longer down here, so yay! Only 2 1/2 hours that dratted lizard was down here.
Edited because, while geckos may be lizards, this lizard was no gecko.
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That is one freakin' big lizard in your photo!
You know, when I think "tropical paradise", lizards camping on the roof doesn't spring to mind. But I guess it's a package deal... Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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When I read the title I kind of expected a small army of little gecko-like lizards. Somehow this strikes me as freakier. Annie, get your gun, freakier. Yay for it being gone!
Posts: 1158 | Registered: Feb 2004
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Oh cool a monitor. Those things are awesome. Though, I think they are mildly poisonous... I can't remember, its been a while since I did any serious research into lizards.
Posts: 3295 | Registered: Jun 2004
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I looked up these freaky monitor lizards, and apparently they come in water and land varieties. The Land ones eat bugs and stuff--mostly small stuff according to the site I read. They are also frequently killed for their skins, go figure.
The water ones are even more scary, they get to be up to 3 meters long, which makes them the second largest lizards. And they are carnivores, so they will totally eat you. Plus it said they will live in ditches by the side of the road, so watch out!
Quid, I'm quite envious--I'd love to have had the opportunity to watch him. That picture of the dead lizard being eaten by ants was fascinating too, by the way. Its always interesting to see hordes of ants on cleanup detail.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:If I lived closer, I'd lend you my big strong macho husband. He's been bit by scarier teeth and scratched by larger claws than that lizard's got, and he's always wanted to be the Crocodile Hunter.
Well, since no one said it ...
Ketchup, you really ought to stop biting and scratching, you're going to leave scars!
(Congrats on ... um ... doing nothing and letting the TMNLizard get itself out, Quid.) Posts: 1522 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Alcon, I have no idea if this particular variety is poisonous. I only know that they're strong enough to cause us humans serious harm if they're freaked out and we're in their way.
Sarcare, thanks for the linky. Fahim also tells me that this type of lizard only eats small stuff like insects, so Oberon wasn't in any danger.
Ants, ick! Noemon, I'm glad you like 'em - you're more than welcome to come visit and play with the thousands and thousands of ants we have kicking around. Did you notice this pic? It's me, applying my borax/sugar poison and the ants sure are lovin' it! Until they all die, that is...
I gotta tell you, it sure is interesting living here, and yeah, I can understand you wanting to watch. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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*laughs& JennaDean, yeah, thanks for the congrats. Fahim just sat back the whole day, laughing at me taking all those pictures and watching the lizard. He just kept acting like it was no big deal, which, I suppose, if you've lived with this sort of thing your whole life, it is. *sigh*
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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He won't leave!
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I take it there's no animal control or zoo that could help you out?
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TheTick ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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I've taken over a hundred so far. Because, you know, that's my OCD. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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I guess we'll find out eventually.![[Mad]](mad.gif)
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