One of the local tree-huggers

Gordon the Goanna

Gordon, a monitor lizard, Varanus gouldii, is one of our neighbours. Known commonly as a Sand Goanna, at two metres this marvelous alpha-male adult presents a forboding figure as he struts through the bushland. As master of his realm he has several floozies scattered about in logs and under rocks, awaiting his good pleasure. Gordon is diurnal and terrestrial but occasionally climbs trees when spooked by the likes of me, to whom he then directs a very throaty and gravelly hiss as a warning. It's good to have him round and he probably goes some way toward keeping the snakes away.