HAVE you spotted a lizard on the loose in Hampshire?

If so, you might not be imagining it.

The RSPCA is appealing to residents after the unusual animal was spotted scaling a wall of a home in Silvester Close, Basingstoke.

It has not yet been properly identified but is thought to be a type of monitor lizard, and is not thought to be dangerous.

Exotics manager Phil Hamilton is urging people to keep their distance and call the RSPCA if they spot the creature.

He said: "My colleague received a call on Saturday reporting a large lizard climbing the wall of a house, and as an exotics officers, she called me straight away to help her confine him.

"However, when we arrived the lizard had disappeared, and we were still unable to locate him after searching for over an hour.

"According to neighbours, the lizard has been seen over the last couple of weeks on the roofs of houses, so we are very keen to locate and confine him, to take him to a place of safety.

"There’s no reason for people to be alarmed but I do ask that as soon as anybody spots the lizard once again, they call the RSPCA straight away on 0300 1234 999 so we can confine him safely. I would advise members of the public not to attempt to catch or handle the lizard themselves if they do spot him.

"If the lizard is indeed a monitor lizard, they can grow very large and require a substantial enclosure and an experienced keeper. A lizard such as this would not survive for very long in our climate, especially if the weather worsens and the temperature drops, so it’s really important we find this lizard as soon as possible."

Anyone who sees the lizard is asked to call the RSPCA emergency line on 0300 1234 999.