A Sonoran spotted whiptail is right on the verge of being caught with a small noose made of floss. The reptile wised up, however, and escaped.

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What can you make with a dowel, a thumb tack and some dental floss?

Why, a lizard catcher, of course. Just slip the makeshift noose around the lizard's neck, quickly pull it tight, and you've got yourself a lizard.

It sounds simple, but it's easier said than done. That's what about 10 children and their parents found out Saturday while stalking the elusive Sonoran spotted whiptail during the Sonoran Desert Kids Club's "Leapin' Lizards" presentation at Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.

Environmental education coordinator Axhel Munoz taught the students how to make the catchers before they dispersed throughout the park to try their luck.

"They get to experience the outdoors and see the living things as they are with no fear," said Munoz. "They understand they are wild and not pets."

While there were many close calls and near catches, only one lizard, a much slower ornate tree lizard, was actually caught. It was more than enough to entertain the kids who got to pet the lizard as Munoz gently held it.

Kara Burkholder, 7, had the patience to get the noose around a whiptail's neck more than once, but it always managed to slip through without getting caught.

"When you get to catch one, it's fun because you get to look at them up close," she said.