Perentie

Taxonomy

TAXONOMY

Family	Varanidae	goannas forked tongue, Jacobson's organs to analyse the sensations experienced by the forked tongue, long slender neck, flattened head, strong tail, powerful legs with 5 clawed toes, numerous sharp curved backward-pointing teeth
Genus	Varanus	goannas
Species	giganteus	Perentie

Characteristics

Appearance

• up to 2.5m (8 ft) in length; second largest lizard in the world

Distribution

• occurs in desert regions from western Queensland to coastal WA;
  rocky outcrops, shelter in large burrows

Habits

• ground dweller but will climb a tree is disturbed;forages widely

Prey

• insects, birds, other reptiles, mammals, carrion; track by sight or by sensing prey with their tongue; forage actively and also 'sit and wait' for larger prey like rabbits

Reproduction

• lay eggs

References - Books

• Australia's Amazing Wildlife, 1985. Bay Books, Kensington NSW.
• Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, HG Cogger, 1996. Reed Books, Melbourne
• Encyclopedia of Australian Wildlife, Reader’s Digest Australia Pty Ltd, 1997. Reader’s Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Surrey Hills.
• Wildlife Conservation, HJ Frith, 1979. Angus & Robertson, London.