Gould's goanna

This Gould's goanna, also known as a Sand monitor was rescued and placed in care after it was found near a shed on semi-rural property at North Casino, lying on its back and unable to right itself.

The property owners, Ben and Trudy, pulled a few small reptile ticks off it, but the goanna was in a bad way.

The cause of its predicament is unknown, but as they are a carnivorous animal that often eats carrion, it is possible that this one could have been poisoned by eating the invasive and toxic, introduced cane toad.

Unlike the arboreal lace monitor, which is very common and abundant in the region, the Gould’s goanna is ground-dwelling.

They dig holes and tunnels over quite an area, mostly where there is bare sand, as well as under logs and trees. They also enlarge nest holes that have been made in banks by birds such as rainbow bee-eaters and striated pardalotes, in all likelihood to eat their eggs.

Trudy called WIRES and delivered the goanna to a WIRES carer - while they were there it was examined and was obviously not very well at all, it was very quiet and unhappy.

The goanna was transferred to reptile specialists, Michael and then Tony where it recovered over the next few weeks.

It was released back on to Trudy and Ben's property nearly a month after it first came into care having made a full recovery.

Story and image thanks to Graeme Hawley and Helen Carlos, WIRES Northern Rivers

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