Perentie

The perentie is Australia’s largest monitor lizard and one of the largest native predators.

Perenties feed on anything smaller than themselves, including insects and other invertebrates, other reptiles, birds and mammals. A large amount of their prey consists of lizards. They are also a significant predator of rabbits. They usually hunt live prey but will also eat carrion.

Although crocodiles are incorrectly known for using their tail as a weapon, monitor lizards such as the perentie actually do use their tail in self-defence. They’ll coil their tail and then lash it out like a whip, aiming for the predator’s eyes.