How can I find a lost Tegu in the house?

Question

About 2 weeks ago my roommate bought a juvenile Argentinian black and white Tegu from the Daytona Reptile Expo in central Florida. He was always very energetic, but unfortunately we found out last night that he had managed to escape from his cage out of a small hole in the screened lid that we thought we had sealed well enough. While it's possible that he got out of the house and will never be seen again, we believe he's still hidden somewhere. Aside from leaving food lying around and checking lots of places, are there any suggestions on how to find the little monster?

Answer 1

If the temperature inside the house is kept cool, the lizard will become lethargic, and possibly seek out heat.

Leaving food out probably won't work, but setting up a heat lamp, on the floor near a wall, just might attract it. Especially at night, when everything in the house is dark except for your basking area. If you find him basking, be prepared to grab him fast- he will be warmed up and ready to run. They are fast, as you've probably noticed.

Other than that, search thoroughly.

Answer 2

Usually they wont go far, just to the nearest cave like small hole. look in the tiniest of places. My friends nile escaped and only moved like 5 yards from the cage to hide and it was in an open garage which it easily could of walked out of. my other friend lost his ball python but found it 3 days later 2 yards from the tank.  

Answer 3

A tegus first instinct is to hidet he will probably wont come out looking for food with people around If you have hard wood or tile floors you can sift flour onto the floor than when they are out they will leave tracks that you can follow. Try looking in low dark places they generally wont climb up things as much as crawl under and into things If you have potted plants check to see if they have dug a hole in them they generally dont go far Look inside furniture they get under a couch and end up exploring the springs and padding they will fit into amazingly small tight spaces the tighter the space the more secure they feel

so good luck and happy hunting lol