The Perentie is the fourth largest monitor lizard in the world and the largest in Australia. It appears similar to Komodo Dragons and Water Monitors, however it is smaller and leaner bodied than them. Perenties sense movement and stalk prey using nerves in their tongues. When threatened, a Perentie will make itself look larger by standing tall and inflating its neck. If necessary, it uses it strong tail to engage in defense and its powerul legs to runaway. They can inflict a painful bite and are believed to be slightly venomous.
Distribution & Habitat:
Found in arid climate zones throughout western and central Australia. They often live in rocky hills and outcrops.
Diet:
A typical diet includes small mammals, marsupials, turtle eggs, birds and other reptiles.
Breeding:
The female lays a clutch of 12-16 eggs in a termite mound. The termites' movement produces heat which incubated the eggs. The eggs hatch 9 month later. Juveniles are brightly colored.
