Plenty of lizard species can be found at Alexandra Park Zoo including the freckled monitor (Varanus tristis), known for its shyness.
The zoo is home to a number of these lizards who love to hide in the rocks within their enclosure.
While these nervous creatures are not often seen, they are in fact quite common across Australia.
Their bodies are covered in rows of eye shaped circles, and they can grow up to a length of 80 cm.
Freckled monitors are fast hunters, chasing down small snakes, other lizards and insects.
They are arboreal (tree dwelling) but also spend plenty of time foraging on the ground, especially around rocky areas.
More on the home of the freckled monitor, Alexandra Park Zoo
Alexandra Park Zoo was established in 1911 and is one of Queensland’s oldest continuously running zoological facilities.
It is fully accredited with the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) providing positive welfare conditions and operating to high standards.
Find out more about the zoo animals here.
