The latest viral reptile photo comes out of Australia (The Land Down Under seems to be the hotspot for viral reptile photos as of late) showing a heat
The latest viral reptile photo comes out of Australia (The Land Down Under seems to be the hotspot for viral reptile photos as of late) showing a heath monitor (Varanus rosenbergi) chomping down a venomous tiger snake (Notechis scutatus). The photo, which was taken by Officer Janine Liddelow with the Department of Parks and Wildlife in Western Australia depicts the large monitor lizard chomping on the head of the venomous snake.
Department of Parks and Wildlife in Western Australia
This goanna chows down on a venomous tiger snake.
“This highly venomous tiger snake didn't stand a chance when a hungry southern heath monitor came looking for something to munch on,” the department said on its Facebook page.
The tiger snake grows from 3 to 10 feet in length and is a heavy bodied snake. It is the most common large elapid snake in most of Australia. They are found in coastal environments through much of Australia, including wetlands and creeks.
The southern heath monitor is also known as the Rosenberg’s monitor or the heath monitor. It is a large lizard that can grow up to around 1.5 meters in length. They are called goannas in Australia, and according to the Department of Parks and Wildlife in Western Australia, the southern heath monitor feeds on birds, reptiles, small mammals, eggs, and dead animals.
