Spencer’s Monitor

The Spencer’s Monitor is considered far stockier than other Australian goannas, growing up to 1.2m. Adults are seldom preyed upon and are quite capable of taking down large prey in correlation to their size. They’re the only Australian monitor that is purely terrestrial. The ever-growing presence of cane toads poses a substantial risk with even a curious bite of a toad being able to prove fatal.

Habitat 

The Spencer’s Monitor is native to the Barkly region in Central Queensland and the Northern Territory in black soil plains.

Diet 

A top predator in their ecosystem, this obligate carnivore will take on anything including venomous snakes, small mammals, other lizards, eggs, and carrion (dead animals).

Breeding

Spencer’s Monitors are oviparous (egg laying) with females laying up to 30 eggs in a clutch buried deep underneath the sand.