Difficult to photograph owing to being high in the tree in the middle of the day. But the uneven banding on the tail indicates lace monitor. Although there have been other records of this species at this locality, this one is notable as it is juvenile, and much smaller than the other individuals reported. This is the first young monitor seen in 15 years.
A fortunate and encouraging sighting (Christmas present)! Brian Green has indicated that normally few juvenile goannas are seen (might be in the goanna book.) For example with Rosenberg's in Naas Valley we have marked 70 individuals but only 3 were juveniles (as opposed to hatchlings coming out of nests). Yet it is known that clutches often hatch 5-12 and females lay every year to 3. Thus it seems the large goannas have long-lived adults and low recruitment, but there's also the possibility that the behaviour of juveniles is different, e.g. more arboreal, making them harder to encounter. Anyway, a very unusual encounter.
A great record Sue! Yes terrific news that they are still getting young through to this stage. Comparing it to the size of the eucalyptus leaves (is it a Blakely's Red Gum??) it would be very large juvenile (perhaps a subadult).
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