Goanna Reference Libraries

The Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is a species of ground-dwelling bird native to Australia. Although related to waders such as the oystercatchers, avocets and plovers, it is a more terrestrial predator and is more like the roadrunners of North America. It remains somewhat common in the northern Australia, but has become rare in the fertile south. Fox predation is considered to be one...

The Lace Monitor or Lace Goanna, Varanus varius, is a lizard found in Australia. Their range extends from Cape Bedford on Cape York Peninsula to south-eastern South Australia. They frequent both open and closed forests and forage over long distances (up to 2 miles a day). They are mainly active from September to May and shelter during the cooler months. Lace Monitors grow to over 6.5 feet...

The Timor Monitor or Spotted Tree Monitor, Varanus timorensis, is a species of small lizard native to Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia. More specifically they are found on the islands of Timor, Savu and Rote in Indonesia. They are found in Samoa in southern New Guinea, and in North territory, Queensland, West Australia. The Timor Monitor is generally a dark green or almost black in...

The Water Monitor, Varanus salvator, is perhaps the most prevalent of monitor lizards in Asia. They range from Sri Lanka, India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula and various islands of Malaysia. They live mostly in tropical forested areas. These lizards grow up to 9 feet long. Their body is muscular with a long powerful tail. They are excellent swimmers, using a raised fin located on their...

The Perentie is the largest monitor lizard native to Australia. They are found west of the Great Dividing Range in the arid regions of Australia. They are not a common sight and can usually escape detection before it has a chance to be seen. An adult Perentie can grow up to 8 feet long although its average size is 5.5 to 6.5 feet long. It is likely the third largest lizard on earth, after...

The Bengal Monitor, Varanus bengalensis, also known as the Common Indian Monitor, is a smaller lizard found throughout Bangladesh and India. Although they are usually found on the ground, the young are often seen in trees. They shelter in burrows or crevices in rocks and buildings. They will often make use of abandoned termite mounds. The Bengal Monitor measures up to 30 inches in body...

The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), sometimes called the Flying Sugar, is a small gliding possum. It is native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and introduced to Tasmania. Physical description The Sugar Glider is around 6.3 to 7.5 in (16 to 20 cm) long, with a tail almost as long as the body. It weighs between 3 and 5.3 oz (90 to...

The Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard in the world, growing to a length of about 10 feet (3 meters) and weighing between 175 to 310 lb (80 and 140 kg). It is a member of the monitor lizard family, Varanidae. Dragons have keen senses and are considered among the most intelligent living reptiles. They are carnivorous, hunting live prey with a stealthy approach...

Australian lizards belonging to the Varanus genus (monitor lizards) are called Goannas. This name is thought to be derived from the word iguana, as early European settlers likened them to the South American lizards. There are around 20 species of goanna, 15 of which that are unique to Australia. They are a varied group of carnivorous reptiles that range greatly in size and fill several...