Large lizard on the loose

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - A Roswell woman is asking for the public's help in finding a missing member of her family.

But this is no ordinary missing person's case. The missing member is an iguana that's around 5 feet long.

'Izzy' the iguana has only lived with the Atkinson family since last Thursday, but he's already made a run for it.

Owner Melissa Atkinson said he hadn't quite adapted to all of his new siblings yet.

"Okay, I have six poodles, a guard dog, two cats, a ferret, oh, and a snake," Atkinson explained.

Her 7-foot red-tail Columbian Boa knows his own way back inside his Roswell home, but that wasn't the case for the 5-foot iguana.

Izzy made his silent escape through the back door four days after his new owners purchased him at a local garage sale.

"And usually when he gets out he falls on the floor, and makes a big, you know, and there was no noise," recalled Atkinson.

The Atkinsons have been around the block when it comes to caring for exotic animals.  Their first iguana, 'Draco' was about as big as they come.

"He was 6 foot long and he used to ride around on my head and wrap around me, and you know I'd just walk around with him," Atkinson said.  "I like the way they look. You can get personal with them, and you can pet them and you know, they learn who you are and they enjoy it. I really missed him."

And although Izzy bit Atkinson's hand, she still wants him back.

"I would like to get him calmed down, and let him know that we do care, and I know he's scared right now and that's the only reason he bit me," Atkinson explained.

She said iguanas are fast and they like to climb, so when you're standing in the shade, don't forget to look up.

And if someone sees the large lizard running rampant in Roswell, Atkinson has a warning.

"You know if they see their animals, their cats or dogs acting weird, don't approach him, he's not nice," she chuckled adding, "He will be."

Atkinson said the iguana will defend himself if he feels threatened, so she's asking anyone who spots him to call Roswell animal control and let them handle it.

Animal control said it hasn't received any reports yet of the lizard's whereabouts.