REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: VARANIDAE: Varanus

Varanus giganteus Gray

Perentie

Photo & author credits

Range: Dry regions of northern and central Australia.

Diagnosis: A large (2.3 m/  foot) slender monitor with a long laterally compressed tail, acute canthus rostralis, and a conspicuous neck and throat pattern of large light circles on a black background. Tongue pink.

Description:

Natural History: This is Australia's largest monitor, or goanna. The name "giganteus" reflects the belief, at the time the lizard was described, that it was the largest lizard on earth.

Reproduction: Egg layers. The pattern of juveniles is markedly different from that of adults (note hatchling illustrated below).

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation: Very little.

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen: BMNH

 Literature: Click on a book to order a copy

Bennett, Daniel. 1998. Monitor lizards: Natural history, biology & husbandry. Edition Chimaira. ISBN: 3-930612-10-0.

Cogger, Harold. 1999. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. 6th edition. Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN: 0-88359-048-4.

Cogger, Harold. 1995. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. 5th edition. Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN: 0-8014-2739-8.

Cogger, Harold. 1984. Australian reptiles in colour. Revisede edition. Reed Books. ISBN: 0-7301-0043-X. 

Ehmann, Harald. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian animals: Reptiles. Angus & Robertson. ISBN: 0-207-17379-6.

Eidenmüller, Bernd. 1997. Warane: Lebensweise, Pflege, Zucht. Herpeton, Offenbach. In German. ISBN: 3-9802892-7-3. 

Greer, Allen. 1989. The biology & evolution of Australian lizards. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN: 0-949324-21-3.

Hoser, Raymond. 1989. Australian reptiles & frogs. Pierson & Co. ISBN: 0-947068-08-2.

King, Dennis and Brian Green. 1999. Monitors: the biology of varanid lizards. 2nd edition. Krieger Publishing. ISBN: 1-57524-112-9.