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Sand goanna facts for kids

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Sand goanna
Sand Goanna (15302642673).jpg
Gould's monitor or sand goanna in Mungo National Park, New South Wales, Australia
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Varanus
Species:
gouldii
Sand Goanna.png
Distribution of the sand goanna
Synonyms
  • Hydrosaurus gouldii
    Gray, 1838
  • Monitor gouldii
    Schlegel, 1839
  • Varanus gouldii
    A.M.C. Duméril &
    A.H.A. Duméril, 1851

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.

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

Eromanga (Queensland) (2348931089)
A sand goanna in Eromanga, Queensland

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

Varanus-gouldii
A sand goanna in the Northern Territory

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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