A tree goanna in The Gurdies, 2018. Photo: Bruce Preston, digitally enhanced by George Papas If you’re lucky enough to encounter a goanna in The Gurdies, don’t stand staring at it for too long, advises Dick Wettenhall
By Dick Wettenhall
The Gurdies’ wonderful remnant forests provide homes for a variety of reptiles including Victoria’s largest lizard, known as tree goannas or lace monitors (scientific name, Varanus varius). These rarely sighted giants can grow up to two metres in length. Their size, carnivorous reputation, powerful legs, sharp claws and striking banding patterns convey a fearsome impression. This is particularly so when they are encountered in trees by unsuspecting visitors to The Gurdies bushland, as experienced recently by local farmer Bruce Preston, who took the photograph shown.
Bruce’s initial sighting was of the owner’s giant tail protruding from behind the base of a tree. “The tail’s banding pattern suggested a huge tiger snake.” But when Bruce moved around the tree to get a full view, the creature was nowhere to be seen, at least until Bruce became aware of the lizard clinging to the tree trunk above him! “The speed and stealth of the goannas movement was amazing”, Bruce commented.
Monitor lizards, characterised by their forked-tongue-based sensory system for detecting prey and carrion food sources, are native to Australia, as well as other regions of Oceania, Africa and Asia. Varanus various is one of the 25 species of Australian monitors, which collectively are known as goannas. While also known as lace monitors, the tree goanna name fits well with their arboreal habits and place in local folk lore and indigenous culture.
Tree goannas are fast-moving fierce predators aided by powerful claws, which also confer their remarkable ability for climbing trees where they spend much of their time. Their lumbering four-legged walk is combined with their rapidly flicking tongue which senses smells of prey and rotting meat. When alarmed, their two-legged (hind legs) sprint creates a lasting impression of these strange creatures.
While not aggressive towards humans, alarmed goannas can mistake a stationary human being for a tree and, as they climb, their powerful claws can inflict much damage, pain and fright! While controversial, evidence of venom has recently been reported. The bite-inflicted venom has been linked with the onset of severe inflammation, localised disruption of blood clotting and sustained shooting pains in victims of a tree goanna ‘attack’. These symptoms can be accompanied by severe bacterial infections caused by the abundance of bacteria in goanna saliva.
Tree goannas forage for live prey and carrion in trees and on the ground and, in the process, can cover several kilometres in a day. In dry areas, they also need to travel long distances to find water. This seems to be one of the reasons for their sightings in The Gurdies area as they traverse the wild life corridor connecting the Hurdy Gurdy Creek with the relatively dry Gurdies Nature Reserve. Another reason is their insatiable appetite for domestic food sources, including chickens, eggs and rotting food in garbage.
Either one of these reasons could explain tree goanna visits to Liz McDonald’s property located in The Gurdies wild life corridor. On one memorable occasion, a goanna marched through Liz’s garden past an alarmed gathering of English guests, confirming their view of the weirdness of Australia’s wild life.
Such sightings provide memorable experiences for visitors to the area, who marvel at the prehistoric appearance of these strange creatures. But remember, if you come close to one, do not stand still. Otherwise, you may become their next tree!
The Gurdies’ wonderful remnant forests provide homes for a variety of reptiles including Victoria’s largest lizard, known as tree goannas or lace monitors (scientific name, Varanus varius). These rarely sighted giants can grow up to two metres in length. Their size, carnivorous reputation, powerful legs, sharp claws and striking banding patterns convey a fearsome impression. This is particularly so when they are encountered in trees by unsuspecting visitors to The Gurdies bushland, as experienced recently by local farmer Bruce Preston, who took the photograph shown.
Bruce’s initial sighting was of the owner’s giant tail protruding from behind the base of a tree. “The tail’s banding pattern suggested a huge tiger snake.” But when Bruce moved around the tree to get a full view, the creature was nowhere to be seen, at least until Bruce became aware of the lizard clinging to the tree trunk above him! “The speed and stealth of the goannas movement was amazing”, Bruce commented.
Monitor lizards, characterised by their forked-tongue-based sensory system for detecting prey and carrion food sources, are native to Australia, as well as other regions of Oceania, Africa and Asia. Varanus various is one of the 25 species of Australian monitors, which collectively are known as goannas. While also known as lace monitors, the tree goanna name fits well with their arboreal habits and place in local folk lore and indigenous culture.
Tree goannas are fast-moving fierce predators aided by powerful claws, which also confer their remarkable ability for climbing trees where they spend much of their time. Their lumbering four-legged walk is combined with their rapidly flicking tongue which senses smells of prey and rotting meat. When alarmed, their two-legged (hind legs) sprint creates a lasting impression of these strange creatures.
While not aggressive towards humans, alarmed goannas can mistake a stationary human being for a tree and, as they climb, their powerful claws can inflict much damage, pain and fright! While controversial, evidence of venom has recently been reported. The bite-inflicted venom has been linked with the onset of severe inflammation, localised disruption of blood clotting and sustained shooting pains in victims of a tree goanna ‘attack’. These symptoms can be accompanied by severe bacterial infections caused by the abundance of bacteria in goanna saliva.
Tree goannas forage for live prey and carrion in trees and on the ground and, in the process, can cover several kilometres in a day. In dry areas, they also need to travel long distances to find water. This seems to be one of the reasons for their sightings in The Gurdies area as they traverse the wild life corridor connecting the Hurdy Gurdy Creek with the relatively dry Gurdies Nature Reserve. Another reason is their insatiable appetite for domestic food sources, including chickens, eggs and rotting food in garbage.
Either one of these reasons could explain tree goanna visits to Liz McDonald’s property located in The Gurdies wild life corridor. On one memorable occasion, a goanna marched through Liz’s garden past an alarmed gathering of English guests, confirming their view of the weirdness of Australia’s wild life.
Such sightings provide memorable experiences for visitors to the area, who marvel at the prehistoric appearance of these strange creatures. But remember, if you come close to one, do not stand still. Otherwise, you may become their next tree!