Wodgina - The Varanids

Yellow-spotted Monitor

The Pilbara area is always great for different Varanids or 'Goannas', so when we saw this Yellow-spotted Monitor (Varanus panoptes) on the first day at Wodgina, we hoped it was going to be a good survey with lots of monitors. We weren't disappointed!

Pygmy Desert Monitor

One of the more common small varanids of the area, a Pygmy Desert Monitor (Varanus eremius).

About 46cm long, reddish brown with pale and dark spots and striped tail, tells us he's a V.eremius.

Stii a bit cold from the cool morning.

Nice black throat markings.

What a fantastic animal.

Varanus bushi

A recent split from the Pygmy Mulga Monitor (V. gilleni), this little monitor has no common name yet, just Varanus bushi.

He's only found in this area of the Pilbara, is 35cm and has brown elongate marks on his back.

Here you can see his Parietal Eye clearly. What is it? The parietal eye is a photosensory organ connected to the pineal body, active in triggering hormone production (including reproduction) and thermoregulation. It is sensitive to changes in light and dark, it does not form images, having only a rudimentary retina and lens. It is visible as an opalescent gray spot on the top of some lizard's heads; also referred to as "pineal eye" or "third eye."

Pilbara Rock Monitor

This must be the most beautiful varanid in Australia, a Pilbara Rock Monitor (Varanus pilbarensis).

He looks like an aboriginal painting or some type of stuffed toy. He's normally hard to find as he lives in deep rock crevices, but here his is flat out getting some heat from the warm rock.

Spiny-tailed Monitor

Another common monitor of the Pilbara area, a Spiny-tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus). An unsual find on this sandy trap site as he normally lives among rocky areas and uses his hard spiny tail to wedge himself in the rocks if something tries to get him.

He's only a young guy as they grow to 63cm long. Easy to id this varanid as he has a spiny tail, creams spots on his back and pale stripes on the neck.

Gould's Goanna

Different neck and back markings and a smooth tail on this young Gould's Goanna (Varanus gouldii).

I love the wonderful faces on the small monitors and always look forward to catching them.