GOULD’S GOANNAOlivia Binder

GOULD’S GOANNA - INTRODUCTION

Class Reptilia – Reptiles Order Squamata – Lizards Family Varanidae – Monitor Lizards Genus Varanus Species gouldii

Common names: Sand monitor Racehorse goanna

GOULD’S GOANNA - DESCRIPTION

Size – up to 1.6 metres Born ~28 centimetres Females 2/3 size of males

Colour Varies depending on location Often grey-black with yellow flecks, bands or

stripes, a pale belly and a light tail Can be sandy to reddish to almost black

Shape Tail 1.5 times length of head & body

GOULD’S GOANNA - HABITAT

Found throughout Australia except Eastern Victoria and Tasmania

They are active throughout the day Adult goannas are usually solitary

and hunt in a territory. They may have one or more burrows

GOULD’S GOANNA - DIET

Goanna’s eat almost anything. Reptiles including snakes and other lizards Insects Small mammals such as mice, rats and rabbits Crustaceans like crabs Eggs Carrion (dead animals) They have long sharp teeth which they use to

grip their prey They eat with jerky movements of the head and

neck

GOULD’S GOANNA – BEHAVIOUR & BREEDING

Adult males will dig a burrow near a female burrow after fighting off other males. They then mate with the female over a number of days.

The female lays 5-8 eggs in a hollow log, burrow, in leaf litter or in a termite mound

Eggs have parchment-like shells and the young hatch after about two months

The newborns are independent and look after themselves from birth.

GOULD’S GOANNA - ENEMIES

Large goannas raise themselves on hind legs and scare off attackers, most goannas run away at great speed

Foxes prey on young goannas. Raptorial birds also prey on smaller goannas.

Vehicle traffic and poachers kill goannas

GOULD’S GOANNA – INTERESTING FACTS

Some Aboriginal people catch lizards for food. They throw the dead goanna onto a fire and wait until the skin begins to peel off before eating it

Gould’s goanna has been known to mistake a person for a tree trunk when scared, and climb up the person’s leg!

When the weather is hot, they cool down by holding its mouth open and fluttering its throat pouch