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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