Stats

Lifespan

15-20 yrs

Size

Large

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Arid shrubland

Range

Australia

Movement

Running

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Speed

Status

Uncommon

About

Sand monitors are large lizards native to Australia. They have a unique defense mechanism where they can produce a foul-smelling secretion from glands near their nostrils, which deters predators.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling

   A miniature lizard cuts itself free from its egg and starts hunting tiny insects within days.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile sheds repeatedly as it grows, often duller-colored than adults and quick to dart for cover.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown with adult coloration and size.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Varanidae

Genus

Varanus

Species

Varanus gouldii