Well, it’s exactly one month today since I had my operation and the whole Bob in Hospital thing, and guess what? I’m feeling a little bit better. Time to dip my toe in and write another article I think.
Back in 2009 I wrote a post called Australia’s NOT Bad Things, which was all about the Asian House Gecko…
At the time I described these things as cute; that’s something I have since changed my mind about. I explained why in a 2011 post called Asian House Geckos: An Australian Bad Things Upgrade. There is no getting rid of them though, they are very common and you will often see them stuck to the walls both inside and outside of your house.
Bigger lizards
Australia does have much bigger lizards than that though as explained in my post Call That a Lizard? This Is a Lizard! These bigger lizards tend to hang out in the more remote areas though, so you won’t see these things clinging to the outside wall of your house.
Well, at least I didn’t think you would, until I saw this…
Image courtesy of The Border Mail
Yes, this is real, it really happened. Just last week Mr Holland, who lives in Thurgoona which is near Albury in New South Wales, saw this rather large goanna literally hanging around outside his house. He reckoned it was about 5 feet long, that’s about 1.5 metres.
Now that’s what we call a Lizard!
Let’s hear what Mr Holland had to say…
That’s one lizard you won’t be catching in a jar.
Welcome back Bob, I hope your recovery has gone well, looking forward to more of your writings, Bit early but A MERRY EXMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS and to all the people that read your website
Thanks Peter, and it’s not really so early is it? Only a couple weeks or so to go, maybe I should start thinking about going Christmas shopping?
Welcome back Mr Bob.
Now, do ALL Australians, at some point, have to have a giant lizard attached to their house?
Thank you djmcbell.
No, you can apply for an exemption from your local council. However, you will need to instead agree to either a) allowing redback spiders to nest under your toilet seat, b) or let a snake to live within the toilet system itself, or c) have a crocodile (applies northern Australia only) live in your billabong.
Most people prefer the lizard.
Ah, right.
If I pay more tax, do I get to choose the size of the lizard?
I’m pleased to read you again !!
This is undoubtly a sign of recovery !
As for this goanna, I suppose it’s dangerous ? Aren’t they carnivorous ?
Thanks Ronny, it’s good to be back.
Yes, they are carnivorous, but they won’t attack a human. They will certainly defend themselves though, so as long as you keep away, no harm will be done.
It’s ‘keep away’ bit a lot of people have problems with. I have seen these lace monitors stride into picnic grounds and help themselves to anything they see. Then. People let their kids go up to the goanna like its a pet! Crazy! I had a pet goanna get a bit close to my finger when feeding it once and it barely touched me. It opened up a thumb like butter and hurt like a bitch for hours. Their teeth a razor sharp and their saliva has a venom like protein in it (re: Dr B Frye et al).
Yes, it is a good idea to keep away, especially kids. They are not pets, they are wild animals, usually hungry wild animals. Not just sharp teeth, claws as well.
Welcome back Bob , Hope all is good after the surgery .
Getting there WA, getting there.