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Quiz about Go Go Goanna
Quiz about Go Go Goanna

Go, Go, Goanna! Trivia Quiz


After watching "The Rescuers Down Under" (1990), I became curious about the lizard Joanna that was depicted in the film. So, here are a few questions about goannas for you.

A photo quiz by reedy. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
reedy
Time
4 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
402,733
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
379
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 68 (5/10), Rizeeve (9/10), Guest 173 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Goannas are various species of lizard that are found within the genus Varanus. By what generalized name are lizards in this genus known? Hint


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Question 2 of 10
2. In what region of the world are goannas found? Hint


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Question 3 of 10
3. Despite the long existence of goannas, the name 'goanna' actually came about when European settlers likened them to another type of lizard they knew about from excursions to the 'New World'. What lizards? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The largest goanna in Australia is also the fourth largest type of lizard on the planet. It's called a perentie, but what is its binomial name? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Until a new species was discovered in 2014, the smallest goanna in Australia was recognizable not only for its small size, but also for its short tail, which is referenced in its binomial name. What is it called? Hint


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Question 6 of 10
6. Goannas are classified as what type of eater? Hint


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Question 7 of 10
7. Unlike most lizards, goannas are actually warm-blooded like mammals.


Question 8 of 10
8. Goannas, like most lizards, lay eggs as part of their reproductive cycle. Most lay their eggs in burrows or nests, but some prefer what location that provides a ready meal for new hatchlings? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Even though goannas are protected under Australian law, hunting them is still permitted to aboriginal peoples.


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Question 10 of 10
10. Goannas are prevalent in Aboriginal Australian culture, art and mythology, and this is especially so within the Bundjalung nation of the northern coastal area of New South Wales. What is the name of their Creator Being who taught them many things and protects them from the Rainbow Snake? Hint


photo quiz

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Most Recent Scores
Oct 09 2024 : Guest 68: 5/10
Sep 09 2024 : Rizeeve: 9/10
Sep 06 2024 : Guest 173: 6/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Goannas are various species of lizard that are found within the genus Varanus. By what generalized name are lizards in this genus known?

Answer: Monitor lizards

The genus Varanus (monitor lizards) generally have long necks, powerful tails and strong claws on well-developed limbs. They are diurnal and, unlike some lizards, do not re-grow their tails if lost.

How did monitor lizards get the name 'monitor'? One explanation extends back to the days of early Egyptian culture, when they were used as an early-warning system to know when it was safe to enter the waters of the Nile River. They would chain a (monitor) lizard down, and if it was agitated, the people would know there was a crocodile nearby. If it was calm, then it was safe. Thus, it was named for being used to 'monitor' crocodile movements.

Fringe-toed lizards are of the genus Uma in the family Phrynosomatidae.
Sailfin lizards are of the genus Hydrosaurus in the family Agamidae.
Spiny lizards are of the genus Sceloporus in the family Phrynosomatidae.
2. In what region of the world are goannas found?

Answer: Australia and South-East Asia

Another name for goannas is 'Australian monitor lizards', and while the name originated in Australia, some species of goanna can be found on the islands of South-East Asia. But, there are no goannas in Tasmania.

According to the Australian Museum, there are 69 species of goanna in the world, having developed and evolved over millions of years, with roughly 28 of them (at least one of those now extinct) in Australia. Today, there are 15 species endemic to Australia, found nowhere else.
3. Despite the long existence of goannas, the name 'goanna' actually came about when European settlers likened them to another type of lizard they knew about from excursions to the 'New World'. What lizards?

Answer: Iguanas

In the same way that 'possums' were derived from 'opossums', 'goannas' were derived from 'iguanas', with the initial vowel sound being dropped. According to Merriam-Webster, the first recorded use of the word 'goanna' was in 1811.
4. The largest goanna in Australia is also the fourth largest type of lizard on the planet. It's called a perentie, but what is its binomial name?

Answer: Varanus giganteus

From largest to smallest, here are the top four lizards in the world:

#1 - Varanus komodoensis - Komodo dragon
#2 - Varanus salvator - Asian water monitor
#3 - Varanus salvadorii - Crocodile monitor
#4 - Varanus giganteus - Perentie

Perenties are found in arid areas west of the Great Dividing Range in Australia. They can reach up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) long and weigh over 20 kg (44 lbs), although generally they are a little smaller.

Perenties generally avoid human contact, and are considered of least concern as regards endangered status.
5. Until a new species was discovered in 2014, the smallest goanna in Australia was recognizable not only for its small size, but also for its short tail, which is referenced in its binomial name. What is it called?

Answer: Pygmy goanna (Varanus brevicauda)

The pygmy goanna is the only true goanna name in the list, although I did use real binomial names.

Varanus caudolineatus is really the stripe-tailed goanna.
Varanus keithhornei is actually the canopy goanna.
Varanus hamersleyensis is in fact the Southern Pilbara rock goanna.

The pygmy goanna, also known as the short-tailed monitor (up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long), is now the second-smallest monitor lizard in Australia, after the 2014 discovery of the slightly smaller Dampier Peninsula monitor (up to 23 cm (9 in). Named for the region it was discovered in Western Australia, its binomial name, Varanus sparnus, actually references its sparseness as a species.
6. Goannas are classified as what type of eater?

Answer: Carnivore

Goannas are predatory lizards who are also scavengers. They prefer to eat any animal that they can catch and eat whole, as well as eggs and insects, but are not averse to taking down the odd larger animal and eating it in chunks. They are also attracted to carrion, and will happily scavenge others' kills.
7. Unlike most lizards, goannas are actually warm-blooded like mammals.

Answer: False

There is a lizard that can somewhat regulate its own body temperature (Argentinian black and white tegu), but otherwise all lizards (including goannas) are cold-blooded, meaning that their body temperature changes with the temperature of its surroundings. This is the reason the large majority of lizards are found in warm climes.
8. Goannas, like most lizards, lay eggs as part of their reproductive cycle. Most lay their eggs in burrows or nests, but some prefer what location that provides a ready meal for new hatchlings?

Answer: Termite mounds

The two species best known for this practice are lace monitors (Varanus varius) and heath monitors (Varanus rosenbergi - also known as Rosenberg's monitor). The females break into the hard shell of the outer mound and lay their brood of eggs, which takes between six and seven months to incubate before hatching.
9. Even though goannas are protected under Australian law, hunting them is still permitted to aboriginal peoples.

Answer: True

While the legislation varies from state to state, for the most part, the only restrictions on aboriginal hunting surround specific conservation efforts and protected areas. The topic does come up regularly for discussion and review, however, as the populations of various animals and their ecosystems are monitored.
10. Goannas are prevalent in Aboriginal Australian culture, art and mythology, and this is especially so within the Bundjalung nation of the northern coastal area of New South Wales. What is the name of their Creator Being who taught them many things and protects them from the Rainbow Snake?

Answer: Dirawong

Galeru, Ulanji and Wollunqua are all snake deities from different Aboriginal Australian tribes.

Certain tribes within the Bundjalung nation believe that the Rainbow snake and Dirawong together created parts of the Richmond River, Goanna Headland, Snake Island and Pelican Island during an epic battle between the two.

The Dirawong ('Goanna' in English) is said to have taught the people many things, ranging from astronomy to medicine.

This is a simplification of what the Dirawong represents, but it would take up a lot of space to fully explain. Suffice it to say that the goanna is an important part of Aboriginal Australian culture.
Source: Author reedy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
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