Goanna
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Sauria Family: Varanidae Genus: Varanus in part
Species
See text. Goanna may refer to: Goannas, Australian monitor lizards. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1847x1014, 682 KB) [edit] Summary Goanna (Varanus varius) [edit] Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Goanna Reptiles of Australia Lace monitor Metadata This file contains additional... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Reptilia redirects here. ... Suborders Lacertilia- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards This article is about the Squamata order of reptiles. ... For other uses, see Lizard (disambiguation). ... Species Many, see text. ... Species Many, see text. ... The hierarchy of scientific classification. ...

Goanna is the name given to any of the various Australian monitor lizards of the genus Varanus, as well as to certain species from South-east Asia. Species Many, see text. ... Species Many, see text. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...

There are around 20 species of goanna, 15 of which are endemic to Australia. They are a varied group of carnivorous reptiles that range greatly in size and fill several ecological niches. The Goanna features prominently in Aboriginal mythology and Australian folklore. Traditionally, it formed an important part the diet of many Aboriginal peoples. The hierarchy of scientific classification. ... This tigers sharp teeth and strong jaws are the classical physical traits expected from carnivorous mammalian predators A carnivore (IPA: ), meaning meat eater (Latin carne meaning flesh and vorare meaning to devour), is an animal that eats a diet consisting mainly of meat, whether it comes from live animals... Reptilia redirects here. ... Two lichenes species on a rock, in two different ecological niches In ecology, a niche is a term describing the relational position of a species or population in an ecosystem. ... Representation of the Rainbow serpent, the Waugal The Dreamtime is the central, unifying theme in Australian Aboriginal mythology. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Alice Springs Desert Park, Bush Tucker The word Bushfood refers to any food native to Australia and used as sustenance by the original inhabitants, the Australian Aborigines, although it is sometimes used with the specific connotation of food found in the Outback while living on the land. It is also...

Characteristics

Being predatory lizards, goannas are often quite large, or at least bulky, with sharp teeth and claws. The largest is the Perentie (Varanus giganteus), which can grow over 2m in length. Goannas prey on all manner of small animals; insects, lizards, snakes, mammals, birds, eggs. Meals are often eaten whole, and thus the size of their meal may depend on the size of the animal itself, although all species are scavengers and will readily eat animals as large as cattle and camels. However, the Perentie has been observed killing a young kangaroo, and then biting out chunks of flesh like a dog. Goannas have even been blamed for the death of sheep by farmers, though most likely erroneously, as goannas are also eaters of carrion and are attracted to rotting meat. This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... A humans visible teeth. ... Cat claw A claw is a curved pointed appendage, found at the end of a toe or finger or, in arthropods, of the tarsus. ... Binomial name Varanus giganteus (Gray, 1845) The Perentie is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... Infraorders and Families Alethinophidia - Nopcsa, 1923 Acrochordidae- Bonaparte, 1831 Aniliidae - Stejneger, 1907 Anomochilidae - Cundall, Wallach & Rossman, 1993 Atractaspididae - Günther, 1858 Boidae - Gray, 1825 Bolyeriidae - Hoffstetter, 1946 Colubridae - Oppel, 1811 Cylindrophiidae - Fitzinger, 1843 Elapidae - F. Boie, 1827 Loxocemidae - Cope, 1861 Pythonidae - Fitzinger, 1826 Tropidophiidae - Brongersma, 1951 Uropeltidae - Müller, 1832... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including those that produce milk, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... An egg is a body consisting of an ovum surrounded by layers of membranes and an outer casing of some type, which acts to nourish and protect a developing embryo. ... This article is about the animal. ... Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domestic subspecies of the wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. ... Species See text. ... An American Black Vulture feeding on squirrel carrion For other uses, see Carrion (disambiguation). ...

Not all goannas are gargantuan. Pygmy goannas may be smaller than a man's arm. The smallest of these, the short-tailed monitor (Varanus brevicuda) reaches only 20 cm in length. They survive on smaller prey such as insects and mice. // Introduction The short tailed moniter, or as it is also known, the pigmy goanna, is originally from South-East Asia but have migrated in recent years to the northern parts of Australia as well as Indonesia. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

Most goannas are dark in coloration, whites, greys, blacks and greens featuring prominently. Many desert dwelling species also feature yellow-red tones. Camouflage ranges from bands and stripes to splotches, speckles and circles, and can change as the creature matures; juveniles sometimes being brighter than adults. Countershaded Ibex are almost invisible in the Israeli desert. ...

Like most lizards, goannas lay eggs. Most lay eggs in a nest or burrow, but some species lay their eggs inside termite mounds. This offers protection and incubation, additionally the termites may provide a meal for the young as they hatch. Unlike other species of lizards, goannas do not have the ability to regrow limbs or tails. In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... Families Mastotermitidae Kalotermitidae Termopsidae Hodotermitidae Rhinotermitidae Serritermitidae Termitidae Wikispecies has information related to: Isoptera Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a group of social insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. ... In biology, regeneration is an organisms ability to replace body parts. ...

Habitats

Goannas are found throughout most of Australia, except for Tasmania, and manage to persist in a variety of environments. Most species are terrestrial, or ground dwelling. Prominent among these is the Sand goanna (Varanus gouldii – also known as the ground goanna or Gould's goanna), the most common of all goannas. They are often found in close proximity to a burrow or den, which may be a hollow log, or if in the plains a dug burrow which can be up to a metre (three feet) deep. They may even take over rabbit warrens. The far end of the burrow is often close to the surface, so if the entrance is blocked off (by a predator, or a collapse) the goanna just needs to break through a few centimetres/inches of soil to be free. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x465, 234 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Goanna User:Cody. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x465, 234 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Goanna User:Cody. ... Slogan or Nickname: The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $16,114... Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land, as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water (e. ... Binomial name (Gray, 1838) The Sand goanna is a large Australian monitor lizard - also known as Goulds monitor. ... In geography, a plain is a large area of land with relatively low relief. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Genera Pentalagus Bunolagus Nesolagus Romerolagus Brachylagus Sylvilagus Oryctolagus Poelagus Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. ...

As well as sandy plains, some goannas live in rocky outcrops and cliffs, often having special adaptations that aid their survival. The spiny-tailed goanna (Varanus acantharus) of Northern Australia, has blunt spines on its tail that make it virtually immovable from the rockface if in danger. Binomial name Varanus acanthurus The Spiny-tailed Monitor or Ridge-tailed Monitor (varanus acanthurus) is a small species of monitor lizard. ...

While some terrestrial goannas may occasionally climb trees or outcrops, there are plenty of primarily arboreal species. The lace monitor (Varanus varius) is probably the best-known amongst these, but is not the most common. The lace monitor is the second largest of all goannas, reaching lengths of up to 2 metres. Other more common tree goannas, such as the Timor tree monitor (Varanus timorensis) and Mournful tree monitor (Varanus tristis) do not grow to quite such lengths, averaging only a few feet nose to tail. This article is about the biological organisms known as trees. ... Binomial name Varanus varius (Shaw, 1790) The Lace Monitor, or Lace Goanna, Varanus varius, is a member of the monitor lizard family, Australian members of which are commonly known as goannas. ... Binomial name Varanus timorensis Gary, 1831 Synonyms Monitor timorensis The Timor Monitor or Spotted Tree Monitor (Varanus timorensis) is a species of small monitor lizard native to Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia. ...

Other goannas are adapted to swampy coastal environments such as the Mangrove goanna (Varanus semiremex). Further still, the Mertens' water monitor (Water goanna – Varanus mertensi), found in lagoons and rivers across northern Australia, is streamlined for swimming, utilising its tail as a paddle. Most other goannas are good swimmers, but tend not to voluntarily venture into the water. This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

Goannas and humans

A Goanna at Mount Coot-tha, Queensland, Australia

A Goanna at a picnic area at Mount Coot-tha, Queensland, Australia

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 745 × 320 pixelsFull resolution (745 × 320 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 745 × 320 pixelsFull resolution (745 × 320 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 630 × 230 pixelsFull resolution (630 × 230 pixel, file size: 19 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 630 × 230 pixelsFull resolution (630 × 230 pixel, file size: 19 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

Confrontations

Like most native fauna, goannas are rather wary of human intrusions into their habitat, and will most likely run away (into the scrub, up a tree, or into the water, depending on the species). A goanna is a rather swift mover, and when pressed will sprint short distances on its hind legs.

Goannas also rear up when threatened, either chased or cornered, and also inflate flaps of skin around their throats and emit a harsh hissing noise.

Some goannas recover from their initial fear of humans, especially when food is involved (or food has been involved previously). This reinforces the wildlife authority's mantra of not feeding animals while camping or erstwhile adventuring. This said, most authorities doubt that a goanna will actually direct an intentional attack on human unless said human attempts to attack it (or grasp at it) first. Aborigines who hunt goannas for food consider the Perentie as a high-risk (but tasty) prey. Languages Several hundred indigenous Australian languages (many extinct or nearly so), Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Creole, Kriol Religions Primarily Christian, with minorities of other religions including various forms of Traditional belief systems based around the Dreamtime Related ethnic groups see List of Indigenous Australian group names Indigenous...

The debate whether goannas are venomous or not is growing. Previously it was thought that incessant bleeding caused by goanna-bites were the result of bacterial infection. Recent studies ^[1] suggest that monitor lizards (including goannas) are venomous and have oral toxin-producing glands. Sepsis (in Greek Σήψις) is a serious medical condition caused by a severe systemic infection leading to a systemic inflammatory response. ...

Other dangers a goanna presents is from its hefty tail. It can swing this much like a crocodile if cornered. Small children and dogs have been knocked down by such attacks. Often victims in goanna attacks are bystanders, watching the person antagonising the goanna. Alarmed goannas can mistake standing humans for trees and attempt to climb off the ground to safety, which is understandably painful, as well distressing for both man and beast.

It should be noted that goannas are a protected species throughout Australia for all non-indigenous people.

A lace monitor (Varanus varius) in Byfield National Park

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (960x1280, 411 KB) Beschreibung: Varanus varius in Central Queensland Fotograf: ZayZayEM first upload in en wikipedia on 02:32, 31 Oct 2004 Lizenz: File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (960x1280, 411 KB) Beschreibung: Varanus varius in Central Queensland Fotograf: ZayZayEM first upload in en wikipedia on 02:32, 31 Oct 2004 Lizenz: File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are... Byfield is a national park in Queensland (Australia), 570 km northwest of Brisbane. ...

Folklore

European settlers perpetuated several old wives' tales about goanna habits and abilities, some of these have persisted in modern folklore amongst campers and bushmen. This includes the above-mentioned exaggeration of goannas dragging off sheep from shepherds' flocks in the night. Around a campfire these might even be exaggerated into child-snatching, rivalling drop bears (attack koalas) as tourist scarer, probably more convincing due to the reptiles carnivorous nature and fearsome appearance. An old wives tale is a wisdom much like an urban legend, supposedly passed down by old wives to a younger generation. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For the drawing program, see KoalaPad/Painter. ...

A common tale was that the bite of a goanna was infused with a powerful incurable venom. Every year after the bite (or every seven years), the wound would flare up again. For many years it was generally believed by herpetologists that goannas were nonvenomous, and that lingering illness from their bites was due solely to infection and septicaemia as a result of their saliva being rife with bacteria from carrion and other food sources. However, in 2005 researchers at the University of Melbourne announced that oral venom glands had been found in both goannas and iguanas.^[2] It has been suggested that Snake poison be merged into this article or section. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Sepsis (in Greek Σήψις) is a serious medical condition caused by a severe systemic infection leading to a systemic inflammatory response. ... Phyla/Divisions Actinobacteria Aquificae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Nitrospirae Omnibacteria Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Bacteria (singular, bacterium) are a major group of living organisms. ... The University of Melbourne, is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. ...

Because the goanna regularly eats snakes (often involving a fierce struggle between the two), they are often said to be immune to snake venom. The goanna does eat venomous snakes, but no evidence found suggests actual poison immunity. Other stories say the lizard eats a legendary plant, or drinks from a healing spring which neutralises the poison. This is immortalised in Banjo Paterson's humorous poem Johnson's Antidote. // Snake venom is a highly modified saliva that is produced by special glands. ... Immunity is a medical term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. ... Andrew Barton Banjo Paterson (February 17, 1864 – February 5, 1941) was a famous Australian bush poet, journalist and author. ...

Possibly related to the above poison immunity, goanna fat or oil has been anectdotally imbued with mystical healing properties. Aborigines traditionally used goanna oil as an important bush medicine,and it also became a common medicine among whites in Australia's early days. Said to be a cure-all for all sorts of ailments, and possessing amazing powers of penetration (passing through metal as if it were not there), it was sold amongst early settlers like snake oil in the Old West of North America. Bush medicine is the term used in Australia by Aboriginal people to describe their traditional medicinal knowledge and practices. ... Clark Stanleys Snake Oil. ... Great Basin region, typical American West The Western United States has played a significant role in history and fiction. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ...

Diet

The diet of goannas varies greatly depending on the species and the habitat. Many of the small species feed mostly on insects, with some being small lizard specialists. Many of the medium to large species will feed on whatever prey items they can catch. This includes eggs, fish (V.Mertensi), birds, snails, lizards, snakes, marsupials, and rodents. All species are carrion eaters and will feed on the carcasses of dead animals.

Possible origins of the name

The name Goanna might have been derived from iguana, as early European settlers likened goannas to the South American lizards. Species Lesser Antillean Iguana, Green Iguana, Iguanas are lizards native to tropical areas of Central and South America and the Caribbean. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ...

Another possibility is that the name might have been derived from the South African term for a monitor lizard Leguaan (as the Cape of Good Hope was a popular refresher stop for immigrant ships to Australia from Britain). The Cape of Good Hope; looking towards the west, from the coastal cliffs above Cape Point. ...

Species

For the most part, in common names, "goanna" and "monitor" are interchangeable.

1. Perentie – Varanus giganteus
2. Lace monitor – Varanus varius
3. Sand goanna – Varanus gouldii (also Gould's goanna or ground goanna)
4. Mertens' water monitor – Varanus mertensi
5. Spiny-tailed goanna – Varanus acanthurus (also ridge-tailed monitor)
6. Mangrove goanna – Varanus semiremex
7. Timor tree monitor – Varanus timorensis (also Timor monitor)
8. Mournful tree monitor – Varanus tristis
9. Short-tailed monitor – Varanus brevicuda
10. Racehorse goanna
11. Black-tailed goanna
12. Rosenberg's goanna – Varanus rosenbergi

Binomial name Varanus giganteus (Gray, 1845) The Perentie is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia. ... Binomial name Varanus varius (Shaw, 1790) The Lace Monitor, or Lace Goanna, Varanus varius, is a member of the monitor lizard family, Australian members of which are commonly known as goannas. ... Binomial name (Gray, 1838) The Sand goanna is a large Australian monitor lizard - also known as Goulds monitor. ... Binomial name Varanus acanthurus The Spiny-tailed Monitor or Ridge-tailed Monitor (varanus acanthurus) is a small species of monitor lizard. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Binomial name Varanus timorensis Gary, 1831 Synonyms Monitor timorensis The Timor Monitor or Spotted Tree Monitor (Varanus timorensis) is a species of small monitor lizard native to Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia. ... // Introduction The short tailed moniter, or as it is also known, the pigmy goanna, is originally from South-East Asia but have migrated in recent years to the northern parts of Australia as well as Indonesia. ...

References

1. ^ Young E, Lizards' poisonous secret is revealed, New Scientist.com news service, 16 November 2005
2. ^ Goanna venom rocks the reptile record, UniNews Vol. 14, No. 22 28 November - 12 December 2005, University of Melbourne, Retrieved March 08, 2006

New Scientist is a weekly international science magazine covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English-speaking audience. ...

Further reading

• Cogger, H. (1967). Australian Reptiles in Colour. Sydney: A. H. & A. W. Reed, ISBN 0-589-07012-6
• King, Dennis & Green, Brian. 1999. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X
• Underhill, D. (1993). Australia's Dangerous Creatures. Sydney: Reader's Digest. ISBN 0-86438-018-6

External links

• Johnson's Antidote by Banjo Patterson.