Where does the giant giant live?

In this article we will talk about one amazing giant animal. Despite its impressive name, it ranks third in size among the relatives.

General information

The giant monitor compared with Komod (among all varieties of lizards is unparalleled in strength and magnitude) is relatively small. The second place belongs to the striped lizard, leading a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Varan giant takes an honorable third place along with the crocodile (or Varan of Salvador).

Exceeds the giant lizard of its brethren in length due to a rather long tail, and therefore received such an impressive name. He belongs to the group of Scales from the family of Varanovs.

More information about this interesting animal (what is, where the giant monitor lodges, on which continent) can be learned by reading this article.

Case from history

One day (1961) in the Huatoga Mountains (New South Wales Australia) three loggers fell trees. When they rested, they suddenly heard near the crunching of branches. There was a feeling that something huge size is making its way through the windbreak. Standing up, the loggers saw with horror an unexpected guest. An animal of six meters long approached them.

It was believed that in Australia there are no large land animals, and the appearance of this monster in men caused a real shock. After a while, the workers rushed to the car. Sitting in a closed car, they saw a real huge dragon appear from the thicket. He walked with his powerful clawed paws and drove rapaciously along the sides with numerous teeth in his mouth. The animal passed by the car and, descending a steep slope, disappeared into the forest.

The giant monitor: photo

This species of lizards is the third largest in the world fauna.

The upper part of the torso of the giant lizard has a coffee color, and the back and sides are covered with black spots. His belly is painted in light cream color. The belly of the young monitor has a distinct clear pattern, and with the old one it fades with age.

The head of the animal is elongated, and in the mouth are very sharp teeth, capable of biting the flesh of the prey. Short powerful paws of the lizard have curved very sharp claws.

The total length of the animal tailored is 2.6 meters, weight - 25 kg. But usually the length of the trunk of most of the lizards does not exceed 2 meters. This value was determined by calculating the average length and weight of individuals selected by local zoologists.

The color of the giant lizard not only looks quite impressive, it is also an excellent camouflage suit for the reptile: it is not noticeable against the background of the vegetation that has dried from the heat. When running (both on four and 2 rear paws), the giant giant can reach speeds of up to 3-4 kilometers per hour. The temperature of the body depends on the climatic conditions of the environment, it does not tolerate a strong heat.

The rather long tail of this giant animal most often performs the functions of attackers: its blow can knock down not only a person, but also a large animal.

Spread

On which continent does the giant monitor live? Australia (the central part of the continent and the western part) is usually considered the birthplace of a large monitor. This is Queensland.

Primitive people were already hunting in the Australian desert 40 thousand years ago. On the surviving rocks, among other extinct animals, there are images of dragons. It is possible that this giant predator was also part of the menu of ancient Aborigines.

The vast expanses of this fabulously beautiful continent are not sufficiently surveyed. There is a picture on which a person is sealed next to a huge dragon, although this is in fact unlikely. Although it is known that in cold weather in the morning the lizards are inactive, and therefore they sluggishly react to their potential prey. Perhaps the person in the photo used this state of this animal.

Live lizards in the most arid parts of Australia: from the western part of Queensland to the western coasts of the continent. Habitats are semi-desert, desert zones and savannahs.

Habits, way of life

Leading a giant monitor (Australia) is only an earthly life and dwells in holes and cracks in the rocky terrain. In case of danger, he can safely be on a branch, quickly scrambling along the tree trunk.

Cubs of lizards may be prey for predators, for example, dingoes. Man is the only enemy for an adult monitor.

Food

Usually Australian giant lizard feeds on birds, various insects, varieties of smaller lizards. His victims die not so much from a bite with sharp teeth, as from the infection of blood and various concomitant infections.

Sometimes in the food ration of the lizard includes carrion. There are also cases of attacks of large individuals on not very large kangaroos.

Reproduction

Reproduction of these reptiles is not well understood. However, it is known that these reptiles, as a rule, do not create stable pairs. Fertilized eggs the female lays in a well protected shelter. It can be a neglected hole, a hollow tree felled or a termite.

Usually there are about 11 eggs in the clutch, for the successful development of which a temperature in the range of +30 to -32 ° C is required. About 8 months the incubation period lasts, after which small lambs appear, with their innate instincts and in the first days of life provided almost to themselves.

Conclusion

Varan the giant is not bloodthirsty. He tries to escape when meeting a man, and attacks only in exceptional cases, when there is a danger for him. The monitor in the wild almost no enemies, because it is very difficult to defeat such a powerful and powerful opponent.

These animals have very dense, durable skin, and they are tenacious, like other lizards. Local residents argue that the lizards do not frighten even the bites of poisonous snakes, but there is no confirmation from scientists on this fact. It is only known that these gluttonous lizards quite well eat a variety of snakes, and not dividing them into innocuous and poisonous ones.