Perentie

Ink on Arches paper (Sold)

90 cm W x 65 cm H
The perentie (Varanus giganteus) is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia. It is the fourth-largest living lizard on earth, after the Komodo dragon, Asian water monitor, and the crocodile monitor. Found west of the Great Dividing Range in the arid areas of Australia, it is rarely seen, because of its shyness and the remoteness of much of its range from human habitation. They can grow up to 2.5 m long, (although the typical length is around 1.7 to 2.0 m) and weigh up to 15 kg. This healthy specimen scarpered over the road in front of us near Arltunga in the Northern Territory and I managed a quick photo before it disappeared into the scrub.