20 facts about the Perentie Monitor:
The Perentie Monitor (Varanus giganteus) is the largest monitor lizard in Australia and the fourth-largest lizard in the world.
They are found throughout most of the Australian continent, except for the far south and southeast.
They are also known as the "Racehorse Goanna" due to their incredible speed and agility.
Perenties can grow up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length and weigh up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds).
They are carnivorous, feeding on a variety of prey including birds, mammals, and reptiles.
They are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day.
Perenties are excellent climbers and are often found basking in trees or on rocks.
They have sharp teeth and powerful jaws, which they use to crush the bones of their prey.
Perenties have a unique pattern of black and white spots that helps them blend in with their surroundings.
They have a forked tongue like all monitors, which they use to detect prey.
Perenties are solitary animals and only come together during breeding season.
Females lay between 6-20 eggs in a nest dug in the ground, which they guard until they hatch.
Hatchlings are around 20 centimeters (8 inches) in length and are fully independent.
Perenties have a lifespan of around 15 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity.
They are an important cultural icon for many Aboriginal communities in Australia.
Perenties are protected under Australian law and it is illegal to take them from the wild without a permit.
They play an important role in controlling pest species in their natural habitat.
Perenties have been observed using tools, such as using rocks to dig burrows or to break open eggs.
They are capable of running at speeds of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) per hour.
The scientific name "Varanus giganteus" means "giant monitor lizard".
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