Welcome to the News section of the iNSiGHT Ornithology website (https://www.simoncherriman.com.au/). This blog contains updates about various things I've been up to, interesting environmental issues and observations I make regularly while going about my day. It is designed to be fun AND educational, and inspire you about our wonderful natural world. Happy reading!

Thursday 14 February 2013

Goanna in the Roof!


Sometimes there are animals sharing the spaces we occupy most frequently and they are so cryptic, we may never see them.

This great photo was taken by mum fabulous mum who is becoming quite the wildlife photographer! I'd tried a few stints sitting patiently and waiting for this elusive lizard to emerge while visiting my parents' place, but with no luck. Yesterday mum went outside, saw the lizard, rushed in and managed to not only return with her (small point-and-shoot) camera but sneak incredibly close for this shot. So... what IS IT!!??

Well, this is a Black-headed Monitor, (Varanus tristis), a common but rarely seen arboreal (tree-dwelling) monitor. It is one of the most widespread of our goannas, occurring over most of Australia and varying quite a bit in colour across its range. The animals here in the Perth Hills appear almost entirely black, but if you look closely you can see the fine pattern of paler circles (called 'ocelli') over the back.

'Tristis' is a brilliant climber and spends much of its time ascending trees (what a life!), hiding in hollows and crevices in bark. It can also sqeeeeeeze into small spaces: I have watched one climbing upwards inside a hollow branch turn completely back on itself and start heading down, in a narrow space only 4cm wide! Since European settlement, tristis has also taken to living in rooves, hence this photo. The lizards are probably attracted here because of the complex structural environment of beams, cracks, nooks and crannies in which they can hide, which offer a safe refuge from predators. Gutters also provide a nice sunny place in which to bask!



Furthermore, many rooves contain rats and mice, a valuable food source, and the monitors probably find it quite easy to smell their way into a rat's nest and devour the babies. They also feed on frogs, birds' eggs and a variety of insects, including many which are garden pests. For this reason and the fact they help keep our rat and mice numbers down, they are a huge asset to your garden!

A problem arises when we want to get rid of rats and mice in our roof, and use poison to do so. Poisons are always something we should treat with caution but so often people don't waste any time in using them without thinking of the consequences. Animals like the Black-headed Monitor, and other vertebrates including owls, hawks, bandicoots and your very own dog or cat, will be killed via secondary poisoning if they find a dead or dying rat and take a bite. Strychnine, the most common chemical in rat poisons, kills the animal by causing muscular convulsions and eventually asphyxia, so its not the nicest way to die! But there is one poison, called Racumin by Bayer, which kills rats and mice without causing secondary poisoning. If you must use a poison, make sure you seek out some of this stuff (it's available in local hardware shops, just ask around), and do your bit to keep our local wildlife safe.

8 comments:

  1. Hi I am researching the Feathered Serpent Lore ...Our Serpent was the ancient Black Goanna not a snake... but a forked tongue Black Goanna (Monitor).. the Feathered part is the Bush Turkey / Emu.. East coast mid North Coast Sadly many do not do enough research thank you for your info

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    1. Hi Aunty A! Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed the information about the Black-headed Monitor and am pleased to hear about your Feathered Serpent Lore, which is very interesting as I love to hear about indigenous culture. Your lizard could well be the same species as this goanna (V. tristis) is found throughout Australia, including your homeland of the east and mid north coast. Good luck with your research!
      Kind regards,
      Simon

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    2. Ugh had our friendly black headed monitor on the curtains inside a week ago and then today in another room sitting amongst the ornaments, i personally dont mind it outside but inside not so nice!!

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    3. I can imagine it is a bit alarming to have one inside Paul! Not as bad as a venomous snake though haha! :D

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    4. The most exciting thing happened today. A Black-headed monitor fell down the stud wall from a roof beam, about 2.5 m and couldn't get out so an electrician friend came and checked for studs and electrical cables and drilled a large hole in the wall to send in an endoscope.

      There we saw the monitor via the camera on his phone. It was alive after being in a tiny space for 24 hours on a 36 degree day. Then Bob came home and jigsawed a hole , reached in and pulled him out. The monitor ran out my doggy door into his home space in the darkness.. It was so exciting. I had heard him scratching behind the wall trying to climb the wall but unable to. He was right there on the other side of the wall. Then when the first hole was opened it was a feast for the senses. Not only was there the monitor but also all the stench of long gone mice and rats who lead the way before him. From Yarnda Dog, Gidge

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  4. I think we have one in the wall of our house and has been there for years… I never hear him go up the wall and wonder if he can get out or just stays in there all the time.. wish we could see him one day.. it will be sad when we don’t hear him move anymore :(

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