Sand goanna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand goanna |
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| Gould's monitor or sand goanna in Mungo National Park, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Varanus
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| Species: |
gouldii
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| Distribution of the sand goanna | |
| Synonyms | |
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The sand goanna (Varanus gouldii) is a large lizard found across Australia. People also call it Gould's monitor, sand monitor, or racehorse goanna. These lizards are known for being fast and good at hunting.
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About the Sand Goanna's Name
The sand goanna was first described in 1838 by John Edward Gray. He named it Hydrosaurus gouldii. The name gouldii likely honors John Gould, a famous bird expert.
In some Aboriginal languages, the sand goanna is called bungarra. This name is also used by many non-Aboriginal people in Western Australia. In central Australia, like among the Pitjantjatjara people, it is known as "Tingka".
There are two main types, or subspecies, of sand goannas:
- Varanus gouldii gouldii – This is the Gould's goanna.
- Varanus gouldii flavirufus – This type is called the desert sand monitor.
What Sand Goannas Look Like
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Sand goannas are a type of monitor lizard. They live in many different places across Australia. They can grow quite large, reaching about 140 centimeters (55 inches) long. They can also weigh up to 6 kilograms (13 pounds).
These lizards are strong and well-suited to their environments. They have powerful legs and sharp claws. This helps them dig burrows and hunt for food.
Sand Goanna Life and Habits
Gould's monitor is a reptile that lives mostly on the ground. It digs big burrows to stay safe and cool. They also use rock cracks and hollow trees as homes.
They live all over Australia. You can find them in northern and eastern Australia in open woodlands and grasslands. The V. g. flavirufus subspecies is a bit smaller and lives in Australia's dry center.
Daily Activities and Diet
The sand monitor is very active during the day. This means it is a diurnal animal. They are always looking for food. They will eat almost anything smaller than themselves!
Young sand goannas eat mostly insects and small lizards. As they get older, their diet changes. Adult monitors hunt mice, small birds, large insects, and even snakes. They also eat dead animals. Amazingly, they seem to be safe from snake venom. They will even hunt and eat very venomous snakes like the Inland taipan.
Sand goannas also eat smaller monitor lizards. They often dig around rock piles to find other lizards hiding there.
How They Find Food
Like all goannas and snakes, the sand monitor has a forked tongue. They use their tongue to "taste" the air around them. When they pull their tongue back into their mouth, it touches a special spot called the Jacobson's organ. This organ helps them figure out where smells are coming from. By sensing which side of the tongue picks up a stronger smell, they know which way to go to find their prey.
Reproduction
Sand goannas lay their eggs in termite mounds. This helps protect the eggs from the hot desert weather. The termite mound keeps the eggs safe and warm until they hatch.
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Sand monitor walking tracks in sand.
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Bungarra at the Gidgee Gold Mine.
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Bungarra at the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine.
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South-west Western Australia
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Chace ranges, South Australia
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Mungo National Park, NSW, Australia
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camera lure
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Images for kids
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Sand goanna near Broken Hill
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Sand goanna
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Northern Territory
