Monitors
and Lizards
RESCUE ADVICE
If you encounter an injured or displaced monitor
Observe from a safe distance
-
Keep a safe distance from the reptile. Most healthy monitors will move away if left undisturbed.
-
Do not attempt to handle the animal unless you are trained and equipped to do so.
-
If possible, take note of the animals colour, size, and markings.
-
Knowing the species can help wildlife rescuers provide better assistance.
Keep others safe
-
Warn others in the vicinity about the presence of the reptile.
-
Ensure children and pets are kept at a safe distance.
Call for assistance:
-
If the monitor is injured, or is an immediate risk to humans (i.e. trapped in the house), contact Hunter Wildlife Rescue immediately.
-
Provide as much information as possible, including the location, species (if known), and any observed behaviour.
-
It is critically important to keep the animal in direct sight until a rescuer arrives.
Common species in the Hunter Valley
Lace Monitor
One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.
The carnivorous lace monitor feeds on other reptiles, birds, eggs and mammals. These Australian animals can often be seen foraging near campgrounds, but one thing you’re not likely to see is their most unusual breeding habit.
When breeding, the female lace monitor will dig a hole in the side of a termite hill and lay 6-12 eggs. The termites rebuild the mound over the eggs, keeping them safe and at a steady 30 degree celcius. When the young hatch, some 8-9 months later, the female lace goanna returns to dig them out.
​
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/plants-and-animals/lace-monitor
Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard
The eastern blue-tongue lizard, one of the largest skinks in Australia, is found throughout most of NSW. When threatened, the eastern blue-tongue lizard displays its blue tongue in a wide-mouthed intimidating show. Not an agile animal, they feed on slow-moving beetles and snails.
Found throughout NSW as far west as Cobar, the eastern blue-tongue lizard is one of the larger species of Australian skinks, which are characterised by their smooth, overlapping scales. The eastern blue-tongue lizard has a wide flattened head and a stout silver-grey body covered with blackish stripes.
Although generally a shy animal, the eastern blue-tongue lizard can put on an intimidating display when threatened, opening its mouth wide and sticking out its broad blue tongue. While these Australian animals aren’t agile, blue-tongues have strong jaws, so they can crush slow-moving prey such as beetles and snails.
The eastern blue-tongue lizard prefers open woodlands with plenty of ground cover or rocky areas.
​
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/plants-and-animals/eastern-blue-tongue-lizard
Jacky Lizard
The jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) is a type of lizard native to southeastern Australia. It was one of the first Australian reptiles to be named, originally described by English zoologist George Shaw in Surgeon-General John White’s Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, which was published in London in 1790. It is well known for its bright yellow mouth and well-developed vertebral crest, as well as the temperature-dependent sex determination of its offspring.
​