Perentie Monitor
Scientific Name: Varanus giganteus
Aboriginal Name: Wirriga – Dharug Language – Sydney NSW Area
Perentie monitors are the largest lizards in Australia. Here are some facts about them:
- In the dreamtime stories of the Yolngu people from Arnhem Land, there’s a legend of the “Wandjina,” ancestral spirits that shaped the world. Perentie monitors are sometimes associated with these spirits in the Dreamtime stories due to their impressive size and strength.
- The Tingari people from the Western Desert region believe that Perentie monitors are connected to Dreamtime stories, where they play important roles in the creation of the land and are believed to have special powers.
- The Perentie is one of the fastest lizards on the planet and can run up to 40 kilometres per hour.
- Even though Perenties are big and heavy, they can still climb trees.
- Perenties have strong jaws and sharp teeth, which they use to crush their prey. They eat a variety of animals, including insects, small mammals, and even other lizards.
- Despite their size, Perenties are experts at hiding. They can blend into the rocks and dirt to camouflage themselves
- Just like crocodiles, Perentie monitors have strong tails that they use for defense. If a predator gets too close, they will use their tails to protect themselves.
- Perenties love to eat eggs, and will climb trees to raid bird nests.
- Perenties are expert diggers. They can burrow deep into the ground to escape the heat or to find a safe place to lay their eggs. Some of their burrows can be so big that a person could fit inside.
- Perenties are listed as a vulnerable species, which means that they are at risk of extinction. The main threats to perenties are habitat loss and illegal hunting.
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