A distraught mum has appealed for help to find her 4ft iguana which got out of an unlocked window.

Kate Rudd, of Studd Hill in Herne Bay, has been searching for the green reptile since it went missing about 10am yesterday.

The 34-year-old, who works as a sales executive, is asking residents to look out for the lizard, which is called Mikey.

“I have exhausted as many avenues as possible but have had no luck so my best hope now is to get the word out,” Miss Rudd said.

“My partner has had her since she was a baby and she has become a massive part of our lives.

“She is incredibly tame and lovely – we both feel absolutely gutted and we are at a loss of what to do.”

Miss Rudd, of Wolseley Avenue, says the six-year-old iguana, which is currently in mating season, pushed open an unlocked window to get out of her home.

Iguanas are native to tropical areas of Mexico, central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

"She is very tame..." - Kate Rudd

Miss Rudd added: “As the temperature is 32°C outside, it is warm enough for her to be OK.

“Hopefully she will be basking out in the sun somewhere and someone will spot her.

“If they do, they need to be quiet and pick her up behind the neck without grabbing her tail. She is very tame and she would need to be put in a towel or empty pillow case once caught.”

Mother-of-one Miss Rudd is asking anyone with thermal imaging camera equipment to contact her.

If you can help, call Kate on 07850 946831.