Sand goanna the scent is stronger. Upon identifying this difference in scent strength the sand monitor can alter its direction accordingly. Sand goanna The sand goanna ("Varanus gouldii" ) is a species of large Australian monitor lizard, also known as Gould's monitor, the sand monitor, or racehorse goanna. In some Aboriginal languages, the sand goanna is called "bungarra", a term also commonly used by non-Aboriginal people in Western Australia. In Pitjantjatjara and other central Australian languages it is called "Tingka". The name "sand monitor" can be used to describe various other species. The specific name, "gouldii", is a Latinised form of the
Goanna glands had been found in both goannas and iguanas. Because the goanna regularly eats snakes (often involving a fierce struggle between the two), they are often said to be immune to snake venom. The goanna does eat venomous snakes, but no evidence found suggests an actual poison immunity. Other stories say that the lizard eats a legendary plant, or drinks from a healing spring which neutralises the poison. This is immortalised in Banjo Paterson's humorous poem "Johnson's Antidote". Possibly related to the above poison immunity, goanna fat or oil has been anecdotally imbued with mystical healing properties. Aborigines traditionally used