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| The name 'sand monitor' can be used to describe various other species. Gould's monitor is a terrestrial or "ground-dwelling" reptile that excavates large ]s for shelter. Rock escarpments and tree hollows are also suitable dwellings. ''V. gouldii'' inhabits a vast range throughout Australia, and reaches an average length of {{convert|140|cm|ft|abbr=on}} and can weigh as much as {{convert|6|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. They can be found in northern and eastern Australia, where they inhabit open ]s and ]s. ''V. g. flavirufus]]'', a ], resides in Australia's interior. In some places, however, the ] of Gould's, ''V. g. flavirufus'' and the ] ]. The similarities between the species and their close proximity frequently cause confusion. | The name 'sand monitor' can be used to describe various other species. Gould's monitor is a terrestrial or "ground-dwelling" reptile that excavates large ]s for shelter. Rock escarpments and tree hollows are also suitable dwellings. ''V. gouldii'' inhabits a vast range throughout Australia, and reaches an average length of {{convert|140|cm|ft|abbr=on}} and can weigh as much as {{convert|6|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. They can be found in northern and eastern Australia, where they inhabit open ]s and ]s. ''V. g. flavirufus]]'', a ], resides in Australia's interior. In some places, however, the ] of Gould's, ''V. g. flavirufus'' and the ] ]. The similarities between the species and their close proximity frequently cause confusion. | ||
| The sand monitor is a relentless ]. It is ], meaning most of its activities take place during the day. Anything smaller than itself will be eagerly devoured. The diets of hatchlings and juveniles often consist mostly of ]s and small ]s, but generally varies more with age. Adult monitors will ] on ], small ]s |
The sand monitor is a relentless ]. It is ], meaning most of its activities take place during the day. Anything smaller than itself will be eagerly devoured. The diets of hatchlings and juveniles often consist mostly of ]s and small ]s, but generally varies more with age. Adult monitors will ] on ], large insects, small ]s and ]es, smaller varanids, ]s, and carrion. The sand goanna does consume smaller species of monitors: Ackies, rock monitors and other dwarf species are often found and eaten. It is common to see a Gould's disturbing rock piles in an attempt to flush out any '']''. It lays it ]s in ] to protect them from the harsh ] climate. | ||
| Goannas, like ]s, have forked tongues which they regularly flick side-to-side near the ground or amongst leaf litter, and are thought to looking for ] clues to prey.<ref> Thompson (1995), p. 111.</ref> | Goannas, like ]s, have forked tongues which they regularly flick side-to-side near the ground or amongst leaf litter, and are thought to looking for ] clues to prey.<ref> Thompson (1995), p. 111.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:12, 10 June 2014
| Sand goanna | |
|---|---|
| |
| Gould's monitor or sand goanna in the Tanami Desert | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | V. (Varanus) |
| Species: | V. gouldii |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus gouldii (Gray, 1838) | |
| |
| Distribution of the Sand goanna | |
The sand goanna (Varanus gouldii) is a large Australian monitor lizard, also known as Gould's monitor, the sand monitor, or racehorse goanna.
In some Aboriginal languages, the sand goanna is called bungarra, a term commonly used by nonaboriginal people in Western Australia, too.
The name 'sand monitor' can be used to describe various other species. Gould's monitor is a terrestrial or "ground-dwelling" reptile that excavates large burrows for shelter. Rock escarpments and tree hollows are also suitable dwellings. V. gouldii inhabits a vast range throughout Australia, and reaches an average length of 140 cm (4.6 ft) and can weigh as much as 6 kg (13 lb). They can be found in northern and eastern Australia, where they inhabit open woodlands and grasslands. V. g. flavirufus]], a subspecies, resides in Australia's interior. In some places, however, the ranges of Gould's, V. g. flavirufus and the Argus monitor overlap. The similarities between the species and their close proximity frequently cause confusion.
The sand monitor is a relentless forager. It is diurnal, meaning most of its activities take place during the day. Anything smaller than itself will be eagerly devoured. The diets of hatchlings and juveniles often consist mostly of insects and small lizards, but generally varies more with age. Adult monitors will prey on mice, large insects, small agamids and geckoes, smaller varanids, snakes, and carrion. The sand goanna does consume smaller species of monitors: Ackies, rock monitors and other dwarf species are often found and eaten. It is common to see a Gould's disturbing rock piles in an attempt to flush out any Odatria. It lays it eggs in termite mounds to protect them from the harsh desert climate.
Goannas, like snakes, have forked tongues which they regularly flick side-to-side near the ground or amongst leaf litter, and are thought to looking for olfactory clues to prey.
Subspecies
- Gould's goanna - V. g. gouldi
- Desert sand monitor - V. g. flavirufus
References
- http://www.wildherps.com/species/V.gouldii.html
- Flora and fauna of Australia’s West Pilbara Coast Karratha Visitor Centre website, accessed: 30 July 2012
- Thompson (1995), p. 111.
Sources and photos
- Photo of Varanus gouldii at AROD.com.au
- Photo of Varanus gouldii at Pbase.com
- Cogger, H. (1967). Australian Reptiles in Colour. Sydney: A. H. & A. W. Reed, ISBN 0-589-07012-6
- King, Dennis & Green, Brian. 1999. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X
- Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, Robert Browne-Cooper and David Robinson,(1995) A guide to the reptiles and frogs of the Perth region, Nedlands. UWA Press. ISBN 1-875560-42-4
- Thompson (1995). "Foraging patterns and behaviours, body postures and movement speed for goannas, Varanus gouldii (Reptilia: Varanidae),
in a semi-urban environment." G. G. Thompson. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 78 (4), December 1995, pp. 107–114.
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Sand monitor walking tracks in sand.
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Bungarra at the Gidgee Gold Mine.
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Bungarra at the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine.
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South-west Western Australia
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Chace ranges, South Australia
