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I have a rather odd or investigative type question; Are there any bi-pedal only lizard/bird
animals in found in the high desert areas of Nevada? If so are they about the size of a
'chukkar' (an upland game bird), with long fluffly hair like feather things on their heads,
lower legs, and lower arms? With medium length thick tails with another ridge of feather
things going down their backs? And also equipped with a decent size snout and kind of
small, triangle shaped teeth spaced apart from each other. And lastly, can it pivot and
turn much like a basketball player move ? This is not a joke or question in humor. My
13 year old daughter and I saw this little animal on a road near a town and hot spring,
trying to pull a dead rabbit off the same road. The rabbit was actually bigger than this
little animal/lizard/bird thing. Any worthwhile info is appreciated. It was very,very unlike
anything I (we ) have ever seen Jeri and Kaylin Flatland (XXX-XXX-XXXX)(XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX)

Submitted: 84 days and 23 hours ago.

Category: Pet

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Already Tried:
We dont know what it is. But it was truly unlike any animal I have ever seen. And it was not happy at being seen! We have a
very detailed account together or one at a time. I drew some
sketches,etc..Jeri

Posted by Anna 84 days and 20 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello Jeri,

It sounds like you had a most unusual encounter. I'm not familiar with such a creature, but I'll do my best to try to figure out what it may be. Some additional information will help.

Are you sure it had a snout with teeth, rather than a beak?

How long were the hair/feather-like things? What color?

Did the animal carry its tail on the ground or more upright?

What color was the animal's skin?

Is it possible for you to photograph one of your sketches and post the photo? Photos can be uploaded by clicking on the little green tree icon in the tool bar.

Thank you.

Anna

84 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

Yes, it had a full snout, not separate like a bird. And the teeth were small
triangular shaped, with spaces in between.

The hair/feather things were sticking up all different angles and were about
1- 1 1/2 in. on the head and shorter in other areas. Color was kind of a dark
burgandy. My daughter says (she saw the back side better than I) the feather
things ran all the way down head to tail.

Daughter says the tail was more on the ground (somewhat like a kangaroo!).

The skin looked very, very smooth and a tan, faint green tone.
P.S. Your welcome to call, a lot to expain!
Thank you for reply.
Jeri and Kaylin Flatland

Posted by Anna 84 days and 20 hours ago.

Info Request

Thank you for getting back to me. JustAnswer terms of service don't permit phone calls - your number has actually been xxx'd out. I'll do some research and get back to you when I find something that seems to have potential. I appreciate your patience.

Anna

Posted by Anna 84 days and 19 hours ago.

Answer

Thank you for waiting. I think we're probably dealing with a lizard, but perhaps a non-native one. Many people release pet lizards they no longer want, without regard for the consequences. Take a look at this YouTube video to see if the featured lizard may be what you saw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAo09yYOpCU&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Here's another possibility:

View Full Image

Both of these lizards are in the basilisk family. They run upright on their back legs. colors can vary. If you don't believe this is what you saw, just click on REPLY and let me know. We don't want you to accept an answer unless you're happy with it.

Anna

Edited by Joan-Mod on 8/29/2009 at 5:17 PM

83 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Anna sorry I have been out of town. Just arrived home. No, that u tube lizard is not it. It certainly would fit if one had to find something! I will work on a few moresketches and my daughter drew the finger claws. I didnt remember the
fingers,claws etc.in specific as well. Just that it held them up when it made its
basketball pivot move.
I must say I have always been an amimal person. I'll pick up any lizard or
snake I know isn't poisonous. I taught Jr. High for 11.5 years. But this is
unlike any animal I have ever,ever seen.
I dont want u to remain un-paid but who else next ? Not the BLM or Forestry
dept.s the last thing they want is any business or having to make a new job title! Let me know sometime on Monday.??

Thank you,

Jeri and Kaylin Flatland

Accepted Answer

Jeri and Kaylin,

I'm afraid I'm at a loss at this point. What you've described isn't likely to be a bird, since it has a snout with teeth. I'm thinking it must be a lizard, but I've researched everywhere I can think of, and can't find anything.

I would suggest that you contact the biology department of a Nevada college. You're more likely to find someone interested in helping than you would with Forestry or the BLM.

We want you to be happy with the services here at JustAnswer, so don't click on accept until you receive a satisfactory answer. At this point, I'm going to opt out of your question, which will open it to other experts. Perhaps someone else will have other ideas. If you do find out what this creature is, I'd really like to know, too. You can come back to this question at any time and click on reply to let me know. I'm really curious about this, but don't know where else to look.

Anna

Accepts:
Expert:	Anna
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	9/1/2009

Pet Expert/Biologist

40 yrs.: herps, pocket pets, rabbits, poultry, dogs, horses. Biology degree. Volunteer vet assistant

82 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Anna,

Thank you for your time. I realize that this is unordinary, but I feel that
while the visuals are still fresh the better we can describe in best detail etc..and maybe have a better artist rendition from someone who can draw!
(Im not passed pencil and charcoal!)
Anyway was a true and most fascinating little creature. I am going back up
to our property in a couple weeks. The daughter and I will do a quiet stake
out with video cam and road kill rabbit. I now feel responsible for its well
being too. From where we saw it, it has a birds eye view of town and traffic.
Thats what makes it so more almost funny-its no more than a 1/4 mile from a
pop. 1,500 town!
I will try the Nevada'Wolf Pack'that was my only other guess too. I saved this so perhaps I can u tube u a positive video of the little,tuffted ,shark toothed ,eagle eyed ,rabbit ranching,desert grubber! (As long as he stays away
from our ankles!!)

Truly,

Jeri and Kaylin Flatland

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We dont know what it is. But it was truly unlike any animal I have ever seen. And it was not happy at being seen! We have a
very detailed account together or one at a time. I drew some
sketches,etc..Jeri

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Thank you for getting back to me. JustAnswer terms of service don't permit phone calls - your number has actually been xxx'd out. I'll do some research and get back to you when I find something that seems to have potential. I appreciate your patience.

Anna

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Already Tried: We dont know what it is. But it was truly unlike any animal I have ever seen. And it was not happy at being seen! We have a very detailed account together or one at a time. I drew some sketches,etc..Jeri

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Thank you for getting back to me. JustAnswer terms of service don't permit phone calls - your number has actually been xxx'd out. I'll do some research and get back to you when I find something that seems to have potential. I appreciate your patience. Anna

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Already Tried:
We dont know what it is. But it was truly unlike any animal I have ever seen. And it was not happy at being seen! We have a
very detailed account together or one at a time. I drew some
sketches,etc..Jeri

Thank you for getting back to me. JustAnswer terms of service don't permit phone calls - your number has actually been xxx'd out. I'll do some research and get back to you when I find something that seems to have potential. I appreciate your patience.

Anna