Cold Weather Visitor

JJPWAus · Jul 18, 2005

Things have got as cold as they get around here, nights around 1-4deg C (traded the shorts for jeans) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif . Whilst in my shed tonight I found this little guy on my pile of decking boards at the back of the shed. At first I thought he was dead by he is moving real slow, I have to pull the boards out this weekend to finish off some steps I am building same to move him when he is this venerable

Egon · Jul 18, 2005

Can't you take him inside for a house pet?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

ByronBob · Jul 18, 2005

Is this an iguana? Whats the deal with this lizard. 1-4 deg C is in the upper 30's. Thats not cold brother it's just getting to be fall. Winter would be -30 Celcius. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

daedong · Jul 18, 2005

John

How big is that Goanna (Monitor Lizard) you don't see them in buildings around here

Junkman · Jul 19, 2005

My guess is that it is a hatch-ling. They are cute when this size, but they can grow to be about 6' long. Voracious eaters also. Wouldn't want one for a house pet, and when they get older, they are difficult to handle. We used to sell them in the pet shops, however environmental regulations no longer permit it. The largest that I have ever handled was about 30" and it was quite strong for its size. I was never bit by one, but have heard that they can give you a nasty infection if bitten.

JJPWAus · Jul 19, 2005

I could only take him inside if the missus moved out to the shed, don't want that to happen, sheds are special places where all sorts of secret mens business happens!! I am sure its the same for you guys. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I done a little searching and the info I have is that he is a black tailed monitor they grow to about 80-90cm, this bloke is around 50cm so he is just a young one as Junkman suggests.
Also says he feeds on other lizards, insects, birds and birds eggs. Only other lizards I have seen around here are the shingle back (bobtail) lizards and little skinks and gecko's. I am keen for him to stay so I'll move my decking boards with care.
I've seen some really large monitors (bungarra) up north and you definitely would want to cross paths with these large fellows.