Alice Springs Fauna •
Alice Springs ReptilesBearded Dragon Bynoe’s Gecko Common Desert Ctenotus Ctenotus saxatilis Eastern Tree Dtella Long-nosed Dragon Perentie
Australia’s largest lizard species, the Perentie (Varanus giganteus) is found throughout the arid Central Australian region and have been sighted in Alice Springs in people’s gardens, as well as wild ones walking around Alice Springs Desert Park and the grounds of other local attractions.
Belonging to the monitor family Varanidae, sometimes referred to as goannas, the perenties are distinctive reptiles with their long neck, angular brow, powerful limbs and long, laterally compressed tail. Each of their limbs has five clawed toes and a mouth with sharp curved, backward pointing teeth. It is a fast sprinter and is known to stand on its back legs and tail for a better view of the surrounds.
You can even seen a sculpture of the Perentie by Artist Dan Murphy at Undoolya Rd roundabout.
The perentie and goannas are also depicted by some Aboriginal artist. Check out our story on How the Perentie and Goanna got their colours. See our photos of the Perentie and Juvenile Perentie at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre.
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: V. giganteus
- Binomial name: Varanus giganteus
Alice Springs ReptilesBearded Dragon Bynoe’s Gecko Common Desert Ctenotus Ctenotus saxatilis Eastern Tree Dtella Long-nosed Dragon Perentie
Alice Springs FaunaAlice Springs Native Bees Alice Springs Beetles Alice Springs Birds Alice Springs Gastropods (Gastropoda) Alice Springs Insects Alice Springs Marsupials Alice Springs Reptiles Alice Springs Spiders