Home Plan Your Visit What to See & Do See & Meet Animals Perentie

Perentie

  • Conservation Status Least Concern
  • Distribution Found in arid parts of South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
  • Life Span They can live to over 30 years
  • Gestation Eggs hatch after about 60 to 90 days

I'm a Perentie

Meet Ian the Perentie. This stunning reptile species is the largest lizard in Australia and can grow up to 2.5 meters in length.

Perentie's scaly skin has patterns that help them blend in with the rocky desert, keeping them safe from predators. Perenties eat a variety of animals, like small mammals, birds, and insects.

During the cooler days, Ian can be found sunning himself under his heat lamp. Stop by Outback Springs when you’re there to say "Hi" to Ian and so many other of the amazing reptiles at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

A close-up of a monitor lizard with patterned skin resting on a weathered log, with a blurred natural background.

Fun Fact

Not only are they Australia's largest lizards but they can run up to 40 km/h — that’s faster than most humans!

See Perenties

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Anytime

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Jingeri – Hello

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the greater Yugambeh language region, the Country on which Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital are situated today. We recognise their continuing connections to the land, sky, waters (waterways), and wildlife. We thank them for caring for this Country and its ecosystems.

We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.

Birds
A vibrant red and orange bird