This large monitor lizard can reach a length of 140 cm.

The sand goanna excavates large burrows but may also shelter in rock crevices or tree hollows.

Its diet consists mostly of insects, small lizards and mice, but it considers anything smaller than itself prey, including snakes and other lizards.

The female sand goanna lays her eggs inside an active termite mound. The termites rebuild the mound around the eggs, regulating the temperature and humidity until it’s time for the eggs to hatch.

Anangu often hunt these lizards and dig them out of burrows for their meat and eggs.