Seen on Sunday August 14th 2011
near the car park at Cedar Creek Falls
Far North Queensland

One very  large Goanna!!
Goanna is the name used to refer to any number of Australian monitor lizards
Goanna are often quite large, or at least bulky, with sharp teeth and claws
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goanna

Coming back to the car and about to open the door and this is what I spied
One long tail
(you might have to enlarge to see it)

Not quite sure what was at the end of it I moved quite cautiously
but the owner knew I was there ‘cose he ‘reared up’ a little

See how he’s getting ready to move
he’s shifted his front feet a little closer to his body

Seeems I didn’t threaten him too much as he was soon on his way
Flicking his tongue out looking for something tasy to eat 

I didn’t get to see his teeth
but look at the size of those claws

Leaving the cars behind he moved on up the bush a bit

And then decided
there might be better pickings on the other side of the car park:)

Most zoos would have some on display but believe it or not
that was my first sighting of a goanna in the wild.
This particular one is a Lace Monitor

And it wasn’t until I read the wikipedia information
I became aware that goannas are a protected species
Do have a look at these links – they are quite informative

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goanna

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lace_monitor

http://www.ozanimals.com/Reptile/Lace-Monitor-Goanna/Varanus/varius.html

24/30 June Post a Day