From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Pirentie tripodding.JPG
Perentie in the wild
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: Varanus
Species: V. giganteus
Binomial name
Varanus giganteus
(Gray, 1845)
Distribution of the perentie

The perentie (or perente) (Varanus giganteus) is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia, and fourth-largest living lizard on earth, after the Komodo dragon, the crocodile monitor, and the water monitor. Found west of the Great Dividing Range in the arid areas of Australia, they are not a common sight because of their shyness and the remoteness of much of their range from human habitation.

Their status in Aboriginal culture is evident in the totemic relationships, and part of a dreaming, as well as bush tucker. They were a favoured food item among desert Aboriginal tribes, and the fat was used for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Many are depicted in Aboriginal art and their accompanying stories such as the pieces ‘Goanna Calling for Rain’ and ‘How the Perentie and Goanna got their Colours’.


The lizard can grow up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) in length, although the average length is around 1.75 to 2 m (5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 7 in) and weigh up to 15 kg (33 lb) — maximum weight can be over 20 kg (44 lb). Their rival for third-largest lizard is the crocodile monitor, which is often longer, exceeding 2.4 m in length, although perenties are heavier and bulkier. However, perenties are relatively lean lizards and are less bulky than either the Komodo dragon or the water monitor.


In late 2005, University of Melbourne researchers discovered that perenties (Varanus giganteus), other monitors and iguanians may be somewhat venomous. Previously, bites inflicted by these lizards were thought to be simply prone to infection because of bacteria in the lizards' mouths, but these researchers have shown the immediate effects are caused by mild envenomation. Bites on human digits by a lace monitor (Varanus varius), a Komodo dragon (V. komodoensis) and a spotted tree monitor (V. scalaris) have been observed to produce similar results in humans: rapid swelling within minutes, localised disruption of blood clotting, and shooting pain up to the elbow, with some symptoms lasting for several hours.[1]

Other scientists have stated that the suggestion of venom glands "...has had the effect of underestimating the variety of complex roles played by oral secretions in the biology of reptiles, produced a very narrow view of oral secretions and resulted in misinterpretation of reptilian evolution", "...reptilian oral secretions contribute to many biological roles other than to quickly dispatch prey", and "[c]alling all in this clade venomous implies an overall potential danger that does not exist, misleads in the assess­ment of medical risks, and confuses the biological assessment of squamate biochemical systems".[2]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Perenties are found in the arid desert areas of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. Their habitats consist of rocky outcroppings and gorges, with hard-packed soil and loose stones.


Perenties are not a common sight in Australia. They generally avoid human contact and will retreat before they are seen. Being able diggers, they can excavate a burrow for shelter in only minutes. Their long claws enable them to easily climb trees. They often stand on their back legs and tail to gain a better view of the surrounding terrain. This behaviour, known as "tripoding", is quite common in monitor species. Perenties are fast sprinters, and can run using either all four legs or just their hind legs.

Typical of most goannas, the perentie will either “freeze” (lying flat on the ground, and remaining very still until the danger has passed) or run if detected. If cornered, this powerful carnivore will stand its ground and use its arsenal of claws, teeth, and whip-like tail to defend itself. They inflate their throats and hiss as a defensive or aggressive display, and strike at opponents with their muscular tails. Perenties will also lunge forward with open mouths, either as bluff or as an attack. The bite of a perentie can do much damage, not only from the teeth, but also because of the bacteria in their mouths.


As a carnivore, the perentie feeds on a wide variety of prey. Though normally active hunters, they hide and ambush prey when the need arises.[citation needed] Depending on their size, they hunt insects, lizards, fish, birds, and small animals such as rats and rabbits. Larger individuals will also hunt large animals such as small kangaroos, wombats, and even lone dingoes.[citation needed] They have also been known to hunt and eat pets, such as cats and small to medium-sized dogs.[citation needed] A perentie attacks by either biting with its strong jaws or whipping the prey with its long, powerful tail; their tails are so strong, they can easily break a dog’s leg with a single blow.[citation needed] Once they bring their prey down, they shake it to death in their strong jaws and then swallow it whole. They use their tails both offensively and defensively.



  1. ^ Fry, Brian G., et al. (2006). Early evolution of the venom system in lizards and snakes. Nature, 439: 584-588. DOI:10.1038/nature04328 [1]

Further reading[edit]


External links[edit]