HEATH MONITOR-GOANNA

Scientific name: Varanus rosenbergi

Family: Varanidae

Order: Squamata

Status: Least Concern

Habitat and Distribution

Often live in areas of extreme heat during the day and freezing at night.

About the animal:

• South Australia’s faunal emblem;
• They are a burrowing marsupial which are powerful diggers;
• They have a backward opening pouch;
• Have poor eye sight but great hearing and smell;
• Their rump is the size of a large dinner plate and is used as a form of protection and defence.

What they eat?

Generally only drinks when it rains. They have a low metabolic rate and will extract every last bit of nutrient and moisture from whatever they can ingest (normally native grasses).