Lace Monitor - Varanus varius

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Lace Monitor - Varanus varius

[Public Domain] 18 Feb 2004 Dylan O'Donnell
CATEGORY : Species
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This Lace Monitor (so called because of the lacey pattern on it’s underside) was photographed in a tree in the Chiltern-Ironbark National Park VIC on the Eldorado side. I was actually at a folk festival at the time and was standing in front of my car focussing on a butterfly that was teasing me at the time. Eventually I got fed up and turned around to put my camera gear away. Thats when I noticed the goanna sitting silently in the tree directly above the 4wd. I climbed onto the roof of the car in order to be eye-to-eye with the creature and took some shots.

Reptiles like this can grow up to 2 meters in length and eat many things including nesting birds, reptiles, small mammals and insects. They are generally not dangerous to humans, however due to the fact that they enjoy feeding on carrion, contact with a Lace Monitor’s mouth can spread infectious disease and bacteria.

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