A three-and-a-half foot lizard appears to be on the loose in Hamilton.

The animal escaped from Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo and Nature Centre, near Barton St. E and Gage Ave. N, on Saturday morning.

“We believe he was able to get out through our back door which was ajar,” said a Facebook post.

“Although this animal possesses no threat to people or pets and will very much be nervous and avoid individuals and animals we believe we have a small window of opportunity to find and retrieve the lizard.”

They have released a photo of a lizard who is roughly the same size as the one who has gone missing.

They say people should not try to capture the lizard, as it is extremely fast, will be very afraid and will “almost certainly” try to bite if someone is to grab him.

The centre is asking anyone who sees the animal to call them at 613-807-6889.