Lace Monitor.
The lace monitor or tree goanna is native to eastern Australia. A large lizard, it can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in total length and 14 kilograms (31 lb) in weight. Lace Monitors eat insects, mammals, reptiles (including snakes), eggs and nestling birds. They become used to humans and have wandered through some of the campgrounds we have stayed at, where they will forage for food that may be left around.
Despite their size they are adept at climbing trees - this one was disturbed on one of our hikes, staying quite still while we watched, and upon our return an hour later it scuttled up the same tree again.
(Enlarging the photograph will show the leathery textured skin and the very sharp claws.)
Lace Monitor.
The lace monitor or tree goanna is native to eastern Australia. A large lizard, it can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in total length and 14 kilograms (31 lb) in weight. Lace Monitors eat insects, mammals, reptiles (including snakes), eggs and nestling birds. They become used to humans and have wandered through some of the campgrounds we have stayed at, where they will forage for food that may be left around.
Despite their size they are adept at climbing trees - this one was disturbed on one of our hikes, staying quite still while we watched, and upon our return an hour later it scuttled up the same tree again.
(Enlarging the photograph will show the leathery textured skin and the very sharp claws.)