Lizard on the Loose! Local Woman Grateful for Safe Return of Runaway Reptile

Oak Forest resident Gail Burkdoll usually lets her bearded dragon Talos keep her company as she does her yard-work.

The 18-inch long, yellow-tinted 2-year-old reptile is typically content to dwell among her foliage or rose bushes—but one day he was ready to run.

Burkdoll left on a quick errand to the grocery store, and returned less than an hour later to find her beloved lizard missing. She, her husband and her son all canvassed the neighboring yards, putting out word of her missing pet.

Burkdoll is a fifth grade science and math teacher in Willow Springs, and Talos is a valued part of her curriculum. Students learn to handle him and clean his cage. Through Talos' presence, they learn responsibility and compassion.

And on Burkdoll's late nights in the school, he keeps her company. He isn't her first class pet. She has had rabbits, hermit crabs and tarantulas. But after losing her rabbit to old age recently, panic spread over Burkdoll at the thought of losing Talos.

Her search crew spread out, finally tracking down three teens who pointed them in the direction of two Oak Forest police officers. The officers, Michael Klappauf and Jason Reid, were about to leave from a field near Oak Forest High School. Burkdoll alerted them to her lost lizard, and one reached into the squad car and pulled her treasured Talos from inside.

"These officers responded and saw Talos right away because he had his head held high," Burkdoll wrote to Patch. "Police and animal control officers handle stray cats and dogs, but a lizard?

"Kudos to them for handling this with such great aplomb! And, needless to say, I won't be pulling such a dumb stunt again since I now know how far this dragon can travel—through two backyards, a front yard, across Central Avenue (I shudder over that one!), and into the high school field."

Interested in Owning a Bearded Dragon like Talos?

Follow these Tips from Burkdoll

• Your lizard will need a heat lamp and UV lamp. It helps them metabolize calcium.
• At night they'll need a cooler spot to sleep.
• Your lizard will need something to climb on, as they'll reach toward the light and warmth.
• He or she will also need a place to hide at night, like a hollowed out decal log.
• Don't keep them in their cage all the time. They need a little exercise. 
• They are omnivores. Feed them crickets, tomato worms, fruits, romaine lettuce, turnips greens, and superworms.
• Check them for parasites regularly, as they're susceptible to anything found in the food they eat.