Canopy goanna Canopy goanna The canopy goanna ("Varanus keithhornei") is a species of monitor lizards native to northeast Australia. It is also known as the blue-nosed tree monitor, Keith Horne's monitor, or occasionally as the Nesbit River monitor It belongs to the subgenus "Euprepiosaurus" and is a member of the "Varanus prasinus" species group. This monitor lizard is found in a restricted range near the Nesbit River, or in the McIlwraith or Iron Mountain Ranges on the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland. The colouration of "V. keithhornei" is dark black on the upper side. It has moderately big and smooth head
Goanna source. Representations of goannas are common in indigenous artwork, not just as food, but also as a symbolic spiritual motif. Goannas and the mighty perentie are often considered two different animals when used in aboriginal works, as illustrated by the story "How the Goanna and Perentie got their Colours". European settlers perpetuated several old wives' tales about goanna habits and abilities; some of these have persisted in modern folklore among campers and bushmen. This includes the above-mentioned exaggeration of goannas dragging off sheep from shepherds' flocks in the night. These might even be exaggerated into child-snatching, rivalling drop bears (attack