The Nile Monitor lizard that escaped from a front yard Monday in Teller County is still on the loose as of Tuesday evening.

According to Sherril Sirochman, with the Teller County Sheriff’s Office, both law enforcement and Animal Control officers are patrolling the area in search of it.

A reverse-911 call was made to residents of the Woodland West, Westwood Lakes and Rosewood Hills subdivisions around 11:30 a.m. Monday warning them that the lizard had escaped.

According to a Teller County official, the lizard, which is 6 feet long and weighs 25 pounds, got loose from the nylon cord it was tied to in the owner’s yard.

Sheriff Mike Ensminger warned those with children and small pets to be cautious until it is caught.

“We’re asking people to keep small dogs and cats in a fenced-in area and under a watchful eye when they’re outside,” Ensminger said.

The Nile Monitor lizard is in the same genus as the Komodo dragon, according to Dr. Jerry LaBonde, a veterinarian at Homestead Animal Hospital, who has examined them before.

“Most of the ones that are pets are pretty good and docile unless they’re feeling cornered or you’re trying to cause them pain,” LaBonde said.

LaBonde said the Nile Monitors are very quick and stronger than they look, but that most of the danger is in the bite.

“These guys have pretty aggressive bacteria,” LaBonde said. “They’ll bite, and it might not feel like a bad bite wound, but the wound tends to get infected rather easily with that type of bacteria.”

However, according to Ann-Elizabeth Nash, executive director of the Colorado Reptile Humane Society, Nile Monitors are most likely to try to avoid contact with people.

“As long as someone doesn’t go up and try to use their bare hands to catch it, I don’t think it’s very dangerous,” Nash said. “I’d compare it to feral cat; Animal Control could appropriately capture it, but not really the general public.”

When asked about the danger to small pets, given that Nile Monitors are carnivores, Nash said:

“If you made a fist with your hand, that animal’s head isn’t as wide as your hand, and these guys swallow their food whole. That means they aren’t going to be going for anything that big.”

Nash said it’s more likely the lizard will go after birds or cat food than cats themselves.

Nonetheless, Ensminger advises residents of the area to exercise caution in the coming days, warning that it could become aggressive.

Anyone who sees the lizard is asked to call the Teller County Sheriff’s Office at 687-9652. Another reverse 911 call will be made when the lizard is located, the Sheriff’s Office said.