Alice Springs Reptile Centre

PerentieJuvenile Perentie

Australia’s larges species, the Varanus giganteus is found throughout the arid Central Australian region, central Western Australia and outback Queensland. They are usually found in rocky ranges and outcrops, as well as the vast sandy deserts. They can often be encountered roaming the outskirts of Alice Springs and in reserves, desert parks and national parks.

The Perentie is strikingly different to the Gould’s Goanna, with a cream to white heavily speckled against a dark brown to black background. The pale coloured spots are arranged in rows across the body and tail.

Juvenile Perentie (Varanus giganteus), Alice Springs Reptile Centre NT
Juvenile Perentie (Varanus giganteus), Alice Springs Reptile Centre NT

The juvenile Perentie is more obviously cream to white in colour, with dark brown banding, stripes and large spotted pattern.

Juvenile Perentie (Varanus giganteus), Alice Springs Reptile Centre NT
Juvenile Perentie (Varanus giganteus), Alice Springs Reptile Centre NT
Juvenile Perentie (Varanus giganteus), Alice Springs Reptile Centre NT
Juvenile Perentie (Varanus giganteus), Alice Springs Reptile Centre NT

Checkout our Reptiles section for more info on the Perentie (Varanus giganteus).


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Varanidae
  • Genus: Varanus
  • Subgenus: Varanus
  • Species: Varanus giganteus

PerentieJuvenile Perentie

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