Posted June 30, 2024
about September 23, 2022
Goanna is the Australian name for monitor lizards, a family of lizard species ranging from the small Dampier Peninsula monitor, only 9 inches long, to the huge Komodo dragon, which can grow up to 10 feet long. Of the approximately 80 species of monitor lizards worldwide, 27 are found in Australia.
We were already familiar with goannas after encountering one species, the lace monitor or tree goanna, on a previous visit to Australia. These particular lizards are large, growing up to 6 feet long, and are adept at climbing trees.
We had spotted one on a hike near Port Stephens and were warned by a fellow hiker to give these lizards enough room so they never feel cornered. When trapped, they tend to panic and will try to climb up and over any obstacle, just like they would a tree. Their claws are very sharp; so this is always bad for the obstacle. Additionally, they can deliver a nasty and venomous bite.
With their big eyes and chubby bellies, they look wonderfully adorable and cuddly, but with the sharp claws, teeth, and venom, there will be no huggy kisses for these lizards!
It was exciting to get an up-close encounter with this goanna, which was quite beautiful and didn’t seem to mind me following it around (from a sensible distance).
Australia has many lizards besides the goanna, including plenty of skinks like these two below that we spotted on the walk.
Australia also has a lot of snakes, but I was glad not to encounter any, as they tend to be venomous. Birds, lizards, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, tropical fish, whales, and dugongs? Yes, bring them on! Snakes, crocs and sharks? Not so much.
After the walk we found that “deserted” Chance Bay was anything but deserted (as shown in my Chance Bay post). We decided to head back to Legacy. –Cyndi
