One of the 6 monitors on WAnimals
Reptiles · Squamata · Varanidae
Varanus gouldii
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk.
The sand monitor or Gould's goanna is one of the most widespread lizards in Australia, present across almost the whole continent. It digs deep burrows and actively hunts insects, reptiles, eggs and carrion. It is one of the species worst affected by the invasive cane toad: it dies poisoned when it tries to eat one, and its decline has altered entire ecosystems.
Weight
1.5 kg – 6 kg
Size
1 m – 1.6 m
Life expectancy
15 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Sources consulted: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://animaldiversity.org/ | https://es.wikipedia.org/
The pins mark the parks where its presence is documented.
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 10 of 18.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Sand Monitor — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
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