Goanna roaming on Tallowa Dam road.

Down in the Kangaroo Valley last weekend, on the Tallowa Dam Road, we saw three Goannas within one kilometre. Two were large, almost scary I would have to say.

Goannas are technically known as Lace Monitors, or Varanus varius.

Goanna up a small tree.

The first was on the road, and it made its way straight up a tree. That is normal Goanna behaviour, as far as I know. At first it climbed about 4 metres high. Then it seemed to get a bit nervous as I was busy trying to get a good shot of it. So it climbed a bit further. I would estimate that it was nearly 2 metres long. 
It had a large prominent abdomen. I have no idea what it had in its stomach, but there is a prominent ridge visible in its stomach, so I can only guess that it had recently consumed something with a long tail - most likely a large snake. But that is a guess.

Look at the extended belly. Lunch might have been a snake.

Varanus varius head and front feet claws

Second Goanna - roaming actively.

We continued down the road and saw an even larger Goanna. I would say this one was over 2.5 metres head to tail. Look at the length of the neck and the size of the head - side on. It was roaming actively, just off the road, on a lower level than the road. 
Early in our encounter, it came close up, towards me, and believe me, I was nervous. Its tongue was flicking out, repeatedly "tasting the air".  Fortunately there was a broken shrub between the Goanna and me.

Tongue flicking is the way Goannas "sniff out their prey"

It then turned back and continued roaming actively on the rock shelf below the road edge. I am glad it decided not to keep coming towards me - knowing the size of the claws on the other Goanna.

 From the sublime to the ridiculous, we saw a small young Goanna on the road. Kirsten stopped ot prevent running over it, and it ran under her car, as another car approached - on this fairly busy road. It must then have scampered off, for we did not see it again. It had a small forked tongue, just like the adult I had just seen.


Three Goannas in one kilometre of road is pretty amazing.