‘Unusual pet’: Lace Monitor lizard Snuffy escapes family home in Andergrove

A missing Lace Monitor lizard named Snuffy has owners calling for the public to help find his friend. He’s known to love “cuddles”.

'Snuffy’ went missing on Wattle Street, Andergrove on Sunday.

A “dog tamed” pet Lace Monitor lizard is on the loose after escaping from its family home on Sunday, but the owner wants the public to know that his four legged friend “loves people”.

He was last seen by a neighbour who assumed he was just a wild lizard climbing on a Wattle Street fence in Andergrove.

The owner believes he may have strolled into the Morag McNicole Nature Reserve on Sunday though there has been no sightings since.

Snuffy as they call him, has been in the Astridge household for six years now and is not their only reptilian pet.

David Astridge, who owns a reptile keepers license, and his two kids have homed three Lace Monitors since their hatchlings, two of which are females and have attempted to escape before.

“My daughter has one and my son has one and they’re so tamed they can even sleep with them.

“Most people are scared of him when they see him because he looks big and terrifying but he’s just the most gentle soul,” he said.

Lace Monitors are a type of Tree Goanna which can reach up to two meters in length.

Mr Astridge says they’re the most intelligent lizards and has even trained his pets to answer his calls.

“He’s quite an unusual pet that’s for sure but he’s very much loved in the family.

“We called him Snuffy because you could talk to him and he would make this snuffing noise like he’s talking back,” he said.

Mr Astridge put out a post to the Mackay Pet Lost and Found facebook page receiving nearly 140 reactions in hoping for anyone who might have information regarding his location.

“I was quite surprised by the response and we thank everyone for their support.

“You can pick him up and he loves getting cuddles.

“He won’t bite you,” he said.