Editing Goanna (section)

{{short description|Several species of reptiles}}
{{Other uses}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
[[File:Streifenschwanzwaran (Varanus caudolineatus).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Stripe-tailed goanna (''Varanus caudolineatus'')]]
A '''goanna''' is any one of several [[species]] of lizard of the genus ''[[Monitor lizard|Varanus]]'' found in Australia and Southeast Asia.

Around 70 species of ''Varanus'' are known, 25 of which are found in Australia. This varied group of [[carnivorous]] [[reptile]]s ranges<!--'Group' is the subject, not 'reptiles'.--> greatly in size and fills several [[ecological niche]]s.<ref>Ehmann, Harald. ''Encyclopedia of Australian Animals: Reptiles''. (1992), p. 144. Angus&Robertson, Pymble, Australia. {{ISBN|0-207-17379-6}}.</ref>

The goanna features prominently in [[Dreamtime|Aboriginal mythology]] and [[Australian folklore]].

Being [[predatory]] lizards, goannas are often quite large with sharp teeth and claws. The largest is the [[perentie]] (''V. giganteus''), which can grow over {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length. Not all goannas are so large; pygmy goannas may be smaller than the arm of an adult human. The smallest of these, the [[short-tailed monitor]] (''V. brevicauda''), reaches only {{convert|20|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} in length. They survive on smaller prey, such as insects and mice.

Goannas combine predatory and scavenging behaviours. They prey on any animal they can catch that is small enough to eat whole. They have been blamed by farmers for the death of [[sheep]], though most likely erroneously, as goannas are also eaters of [[carrion]] and are attracted to rotting meat.

Most goannas are dark-coloured, with greys, browns, blacks, and greens featuring prominently; however, white is also common. Many desert-dwelling species also feature yellow-red tones. [[Camouflage]] ranges from bands and stripes to splotches, speckles, and circles, and can change as the creature matures, with juveniles sometimes being brighter than adults.

Like most lizards, goannas lay [[egg (biology)|eggs]]. Most lay eggs in a nest or burrow, but some species lay their eggs inside [[termite]] mounds. This offers protection and incubation; additionally, the termites may provide a meal for the young as they hatch. Unlike some other species of lizards, goannas do not have the ability to [[regeneration (biology)|regrow]] limbs or tails.