Bushwalk Australia

I've noticed in some Sydney national parks (particularly those close to rivers) there are significant populations of monitor lizards.(Goannas)

On one trail that Ive walked many times it's common to see 50-70 monitors of various sizes in the space of an hour. They are all hanging out catching insects on the trail or right beside. You can walk past a dozen within 10 metres.

It got me curious though.. do monitors scare snakes away? Or eat them? (Some of the monitors are big.. 1-2 metres). Because I never see any snakes in the area but stacks of monitors..

I would assume snakes and monitors both being carnivorous would eat the same things i.e small mammals like rats and mice, birds, eggs and insects etc.
So if there is enough food in the area to support that many monitors you would think the snakes would want in on the party.

50-70 goannas? Or a mix of lizards, very small to large? I've rarely seen more than an occasional goanna (lace monitor) anywhere.
My favourite large local reptile btw. I often see a lot of lizards when the weather warms up, but mainly tiny to medium sized skinks etc.
I believe lace monitors will eat other reptiles, small mammals, birds and their eggs, carrion, insects, anything they find in rubbish bins and more.
Can I ask which NP?

johnw wrote:50-70 goannas? Or a mix of lizards, very small to large? I've rarely seen more than an occasional goanna ( lace monitor) anywhere.
My favourite large local reptile btw. I often see a lot of lizards when the weather warms up, but mainly tiny to medium sized skinks etc.
I believe lace monitors will eat other reptiles, small mammals, birds and their eggs, carrion, insects, anything they find in rubbish bins and more.
Can I ask which NP?

Not a expert but they all looked like monitors to me. Some large, some small.

Will PM you the location as I dont want it to turn into a tourist attraction

I opened the thread anticipating a photo of a duel between two reptiles. Dang.
Interested to know the answer though

With that many goannas it looks like there is no snakes, feral cats, foxes or dingoes around...
It would seem trapping or 1080 poison laid that has been taking place in that area.

Drawing on johnw's knowledge of lizard's we determined that what I saw were not goannas but were eastern water dragons. Similar looking and can grow up to a metre and a half 80-90cm.
Apparently water dragons are more likely to be prey to snakes than the other way round.

I think commando might be on to something. There had been bait deployed in the area.

Edit. Corrected length.

wildwanderer wrote:Drawing on johnw's knowledge of lizard's we determined that what I saw were not goannas but were eastern water dragons. Similar looking and can grow up to a metre and a half.

I think you still may be confusing species. Water Dragon can grow up to around 80 cm in length. Goannas (Lace Monitors) can grow up to around 1.5 - 2 m in length.

Dave

Thanks Dave, your right.

MsMudd here you go. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nmr6gYBZhiY

Goanna vs brown snake. Epic battle!