For some of us the holidays are ending today, so if you are heading back to a quiet workplace after a great Christmas weekend, this Wild Fact is for you. For the rest of you still on holidays……this Wild Fact is also for you :). Today we are heading to Australia to learn about the fourth largest lizard in the world, the Perentie. This particular lizard is a type of Goanna, also known as a Monitor Lizard, which is native to Australia. Other notable members of the Goanna family include the Crocodile Monitor, the Water Monitor and of course the most famous, the Komodo Dragon. Incidentally, these three species are the only lizards that are larger than the Perentie.
Big, Bad Bite
So just how big is the Perentie? Typically, this lizard can grow up to 2.5 metres (8′ 2″) long and weigh up to 20 kg (44 lbs), which is pretty impressive if you remember that this is a lizard we are talking about. Running across a large lizard like this may be intimidating but it is even worse when you realize that they also have a venomous bite. I would be careful feeding a Perentie since a bite from one of these lizards can cause swelling, blood clotting and of course an intense shooting pain that may last up to several hours. Although, the venom may not kill you, I don’t recommend sticking your fingers in the mouth of the Perentie.
Escape Artists
Luckily, Perenties try their best to avoid human contact, so the chances of getting bit are pretty slim. In fact, the chances of even seeing one of these magnificent creatures is pretty slim. They will typically disappear long before you even know they are in the area. The Perentie is a surprisingly quick runner that can run on all four legs or just the hind legs. If they do stick around, there is a good chance you will just walk on by since the Perentie is known for their camouflage. As well, this large lizard is capable of digging a burrow within minutes and are excellent tree climbers, so they have many options if they decide to escape.
Well that does it for today’s “Back to Work” Wild Fact. I hope you enjoy the rest of the day and if you are still on holidays, kick back and relax! See you tomorrow for another Wild Fact.
