Photo: Alan Couch

Sand Monitor

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What do they look like?

The Sand Monitor (Varanus gouldii) or Gould’s Monitor can grow up to 160 cm and can weigh as much as 6 kg. It is the second largest goanna or monitor species in Australia, after the Perentie (Varanus giganteus), which can be over 2 m long.

The Sand Monitor’s beautifully patterned scales set them apart from plainer lizards. They are greenish-grey all over, with ringed yellow spots. These spots are most prominent on their tail and lower torso, where they form patterns and bands. The head of a Sand Monitor resembles that of a snake, and has yellow patterns on the sides. The end of the Sand Monitor’s tail is usually white, cream or yellow.

Where are they found?

Sand Monitors live all over mainland Australia except the very south and south-east.

They live in burrows, often setting up a home in an abandoned rabbit warren. These burrows do double duty, as protection from the elements and predators. The entrance to the burrow is often concealed behind a fallen log, shrub or rock.

Fast facts:

  1. Sand Monitor’s have an extremely keen sense of smell, and use their long, forked tongues to explore their environment.
  2. The Sand Monitor is a diurnal species, which means that it is active during the day and sleeps at night.

Sand Monitor – the full story

Also known as Sand Goannas, Gould’s Monitors or Racehorse Goannas, Sand Monitors (Varanus gouldii) are voracious eaters and will eat almost anything that is smaller than them, including other lizards. Sand Monitors live all over Australia except the very south and south-east.

They can grow up to 160 cm and can weigh as much as 6 kg and are the second largest monitor species in Australia, after the Perentie, which can be over 2 m long.

Their exceptionally strong legs are just made for digging, and they put their sharp claws and snout to work, too.

They live in burrows, often setting up a home in an abandoned rabbit warren. These burrows do double duty, as protection from the elements and predators. The entrance to the burrow is often concealed behind a fallen log, shrub or rock.

Their mating season is November and December and they lay an average of 6 eggs per clutch. When it’s time to lay eggs, the female sand monitor makes use of a termite mound, digging to the centre and letting the termites reconstruct the mound around the clutch. The termites regulate temperature and humidity of the eggs.

The Sand Monitor’s beautifully patterned scales set them apart from plainer lizards. They are greenish-grey all over, with ringed yellow spots. These spots are most prominent on their tail and lower torso, where they form patterns and bands.

The head of a Sand Monitor resembles that of a snake, and has yellow patterns on the sides. The end of the Sand Monitor’s tail is usually white, cream or yellow.

The Sand Monitor is a diurnal species, which means that it is active during the day and sleeps at night.

Sand Monitor’s have an extremely keen sense of smell, and use their long, forked tongues to explore their environment. When hunting for food, they keep their snout close to the ground, and flick their tongue in and out, using scent to find any hidden prey underground.

Did you know?

One of the favourite foods of Sand Monitors that live in northern areas is crocodile eggs.

Tip

The Sand Monitor is a popular choice for a pet in Australia. They are fascinating buddies and can make great company, but as with any pet they are for life, not for Christmas. They require careful care and commitment, so make sure you research what you need to make the Sand Monitor happy and healthy before taking one on as part of your family.

As with all native species, permits may apply in your state. You should ensure that you check regulations before purchasing any native animal as a pet and be aware that native animals cannot be taken from the wild.

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