Favorite Images of Perenties

A list of my favorite images of perenties.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perentie

The perentie (Varanus giganteus) is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia and the fourth-largest living lizard on earth after the Komodo dragon, Asian water monitor and the crocodile monitor.

Found west of the Great Dividing Range in the arid areas of Australia, it is rarely seen because of its shyness and the remoteness of much of its range from human habitation.

The species is considered to be a least-concern species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Its status in many Aboriginal cultures is evident in the totemic relationship and part of the Ngintaka dreaming, as well as bush tucker. It was a favoured food item among desert Aboriginal tribes and the fat was used for medicinal and ceremonial purposes.

The lizard can grow up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) long, although the average length is around 1.75 to 2 m (5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 7 in), and weigh up to 15 kg (33 lb) - maximum weight can be over 20 kg (44 lb).

As a carnivore, the perentie feeds on a wide variety of prey. Though normally active hunters, they hide and ambush prey when the need arises.

Depending on their size, they hunt insects, lizards, fish, birds and small animals such as rats and rabbits.

Larger individuals will also hunt large animals, such as small kangaroos, wombats and even lone dingoes. They have also been known to hunt and eat pets, such as cats and small to medium-sized dogs.

A perentie attacks by either biting with its strong jaws or whipping the prey with its long, powerful tail; their tails are so strong, they can easily break a dog’s leg with a single blow. Once they bring their prey down, they shake it to death in their strong jaws and then swallow it whole. They use their tails both offensively and defensively.

Perenties are found in the arid desert areas of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Their habitats consist of rocky outcroppings and gorges, with hard-packed soil and loose stones.

The perentie can lay its eggs in termite mounds or in the soil.