Spiny-tailed Monitor Varanus acanthurus
The Spiny-tailed Monitor, also called the Ridge-tailed Monitor, is native to arid, rocky areas of north-western and north-central Australia.
It can grow up to 70cm (28 inches) in length.
It squeezes itself into rock crevices to evade predators (snakes, larger monitor lizards, birds of prey),
blocks the entrance with its spiny tail and bloats itself with air to fill any gaps.
Diet is mainly insects and smaller lizards, but can include other invertebrates and even small mammals.
The old skin peels off to reveal fresher geometric patterns.