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Big Lizards

A Goanna

Good bush tucker. Photo courtesy Ian Morris.

The goanna ('go-anna') is an Australian reptile that is also known as the monitor lizard. Some species of goanna can grow up to 2 m (around 6 ft) long.

Goannas (aranus gouldii) have flat bodies, long necks, big claws, well-developed teeth and forked tongues and they make very good bush tucker.

Twenty of the world's 30 monitor species are found in Australia. Goannas are carnivorous and live off insects and small animals and love to eat eggs. They usually walk around on all fours, but will rise up on their back legs to defend themselves from attackers.