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Early white settlers saw these creatures and thought they were a type of "Iguana". Over the years the word transformed into the present word GOANNA. Goanna's are actually "Monitor Lizards" of which Australia has 20 of the 30 species found worldwide. One of the most common Goannas in Australia is this Sand Monitor.
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. Goanna's prey on all manner of small animals; insects, lizards, snakes, mammals, birds, eggs. Meals are often eaten whole, and thus the size of their meals depends on the size of the animal itself.
Goanna's features prominently in Aboriginal Mythology
and Australian folklore.
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