Lake Co.'s most-wanted lizard finally captured

Libertyville's most-wanted lizard was finally captured Wednesday afternoon.

College of Lake County Professor of Biology Mike Corn was called to the residence of Jim and Betty Moran after the African savannah monitor lizard was discovered sunning itself on the rear patio.

After a brief search of the property, Corn reached into a bush and came out holding the two-and-a-half-foot-long lizard.

"This lizard is very tame and was undoubtedly someone's pet," Corn said. "It is a growing young adult with healthy fat reserves."

Everything from hamburger and hard-boiled eggs to sardines have been placed in steel cages around the home for weeks, but the trap-savvy lizard had eluded capture and likely remained burrowed in soil beneath the deck.

Wednesday's muggy weather and a strong appetite for mice and chipmunks ultimately drew the wayward reptile to the surface.

"He gulped down a mouse the first day I saw him and I've only seen one chipmunk around here in the past two weeks," Betty Moran said.

The well-fed lizard seemed at ease stretched out on Corn's left arm and allowed careful hands to stroke its scaly skin.

For now it has been transported to the College of Lake County, where it will be cared for and displayed for biology classes.

"These lizards are active hunters - this one has been surviving on mice and small chipmunks," Corn said. "We are fortunate because tropical lizards like this would have a real tough time surviving in this area's autumn climate."

The Morans were glad that the lizard had found a better home, although they appreciated the rodent control the coldblooded carnivore provided their property.

"Now all the neighbors will want monitor lizards to take care of their mice problems," Jim Moran joked. "It's a beautiful and fascinating little animal and I was truly amazed by how tame it was."

Betty Moran said she'll return to what was an ordinary summer until the lizard showed up June 26.

"Now I can go outside without worrying about what I'll see in my peripheral vision," she said. "I just hope I don't find any of its eggs."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=303724">Wayward lizard finds new home under Libertyville couple's patio <span class="date">[07/15/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>