A Run-In With An Australian Desert Lizard
Goannas, also known as sand monitors, are strong swimmers and good tree-climbers. iStockphoto.com hide caption
Goannas, also known as sand monitors, are strong swimmers and good tree-climbers.
iStockphoto.com
"Sounds Wild" is an occasional series of short stories that take you to remote parts of the planet to hear the sounds of rare animals.
Wildlife recordist David Stewart introduces the "goanna" lizard, native to the Australian desert.
Goannas are a type of monitor lizard, and most have an elongated body that can range in size from 8 inches to 9 feet. The animals also live in southern Africa, southeast Asia, and islands in the southwestern Pacific.
As predatory lizards, goannas feed on small insects, other lizards, mammals and eggs.