AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS - Lace Monitor
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The Lace monitor is commonly known as a goanna in
Australia, and they can grow to an average length of 1.5
metres, making them Australia's second largest lizard
They feed on
birds, insects, small mammals and other reptiles, and due to their
claws, have the ability to scale
tree trunks in pursuit of prey or to escape danger.
Lace Monitors flick their
snake-like, forked tongues in and out inorder to collect scent particles,
which
are then analysed by a special sensory device called a Jacobson's
Organ. This powerful sensor organ helps the goanna to locate dead animals,
which is one of its main food sources.
Lace Monitors locate termite nests, then the
female dig into termite nests and lay their eggs.
They then seal up the nest after laying their eggs. The nest becomes
a natural humidity and temperature
controlled incubator, and then after 6-8 weeks later they return to dig out
the new born monitors.