![Varanus varius ( Lace Monitor ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ]](images/other_life/TVP05021.jpg)
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Class: Reptilia
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Order: Squamata
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Suborder: Sauria
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Family: Varanidae
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Genus: Varanus
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Species: varius
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Common Names
Lace Monitor , Tree Goanna
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Local Names
Tree Goanna
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Region
Australia
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Countries
Australia
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length: 1.5 m
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Habitat
Found in lowland open forest and woodlands. Often found in narrow fringes of woodland along margins of rivers and lakes. Found in sympatry with species such as V. gouldii.
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Habits
Arboreal with a good ability for climbing especially when threatened however also spend considerable time on land. A diurnal heliotherm that refuges overnight in burrows before emerging in the early morning to begin a days activity. Active most of the year even in southern Australia however emergence time may vary with season.
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Prey
Intensive opportunistic forager that consumes a wide variety of different prey items including arthropods, macropods, rabbit, birds, reptiles and reptile eggs.
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Toxins
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General: Neurotoxins
Unknown
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General: Myotoxins
Unknown
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General: Procoagulants
Unknown
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General: Anticoagulants
Unknown
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General: Haemorrhagins
Unknown
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General: Nephrotoxins
Unknown
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General: Cardiotoxins
Unknown
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General: Necrotoxins
Unknown
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General: Other Toxins
Unknown
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Not considered dangerous
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be very low
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: No lethal potential in humans
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General: Local Effects
Local effects are largely limited to mechanical injury from the bite, which ranges from minor to severe, plus secondary infection in some cases, again sometimes severe. It is unclear if oral products have any significant role in the local symptoms, though may contribute to local pain.
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General: Local Necrosis
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: General Systemic Effects
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Myotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Renal Damage
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Other
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for bites from lizards, other than helodermatid lizards (such as gila monster & beaded lizard).
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Details
1. Remove the patient from continued exposure to the lizard.
2. If the lizard is still attached to the patient (ie still biting) then carefully prize the jaws open. Do not pull the lizard off as this may increase the extent of skin injury as some of these lizards have very sharp teeth that may lacerate the skin.
3. Note the physical characteristics of the lizard so that, if necessary, it can be described to health care workers. If you have a camera, photograph the lizard.
4. Clean the wound with antiseptic, if available, otherwise use clean, preferably sterile water.
5. If the wound is deep, or there is extensive damage, or if significant pain persists after 30 minutes, seek medical care.
6. Tetanus infection is possible with any bite wound. If the patient does not have current tetanus immunisation, seek medical care.
7. Secondary infection is possible with any bite wound. If the wound initially appears minor, but over the next few days becomes red, tender to touch, more painful, swollen, or develops a discharge, secondary infection may have developed. In this case seek urgent medical care.
8. Systemic (general) effects from oral products of these animals are not expected. If the patient develops any systemic (general) symptoms, such as headache, vomiting, fever, dizziness, weakness, difficulty breathing, or any other general symptom, seek urgent medical care. If breathing is impaired, support using available methods, including mouth-to-mouth breathing if nothing else is available. It is emphasised that such systemic effects are not expected and not reported and this advice is given for completeness, not in the expectation it is likely to be required.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Bites cause mechanical injury and sometimes secondary infection, with oral products playing, at most, a minor role, with no systemic effects. Therefore treatment is focussed on good wound care, including cleaning the wound, prevention of secondary infection, and ensuring tetanus immunisation is up to date.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain and mechanical tissue injury, without systemic effects.
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General Approach to Management
Most cases will be minor & not require admission.
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Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
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