Goanna (Lace Monitor)

Description:

A beautiful Goanna I spotted on a trail. Approximately 2 metres in length, this was a big animal. Check out his video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jes2RaJ-... (This is from another bushwalk a couple of years later). All goannas are carnivorous, consuming anything they can overpower. They will also eat carrion, and can be a real nuisance in campsites and picnic areas where people are prone to feed them. There are different characteristics that identify this species, but I usually look for those distinctive chin-strap markings. Once I see them, I have a good idea of what I'm dealing with. I am very careful around goannas, particularly when they are accustomed to people. Those large, sharp claws can inflict serious wounds, and if provoked, goannas will bite. No such problem with this handsome fellow though - he was quite shy, and this area is well away from those areas. I was probably 50 metres away when I spotted him, but he was well aware of me long before that. I could only get close when he shot up a tree. Many trees bear the claw marks of Goannas that have climbed them (photo #4). There are 19 species of Goanna to be found in Queensland. An interesting fact: This group contains the world's largest living lizard, the komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) from Indonesia which grows to more than 3 metres. The komodo dragon is most closely related to the goanna (Varanus varius) and there is fossil evidence suggesting that komodo dragons once also occurred in Australia.

Habitat:

Spotted by Enoggera Creek on a trail in native bushland, in the Brisbane Forest Park. Well-shaded area with running stream.

Notes:

The reference link says "bad request", but please ignore this. It will still take you to the site required, that being the Queensland Museum.