Comments by "Helmuth Schultes" (@helmuthschultes9243) on "American Reacts to Monitor Lizards Invade Aussie BBQ!!!!!" video.

  1. On one of the GM test car hot test trips at Kununurra WA, in 1990s, a group of the test team went down to a large river crossing, where a large Goanna was sitting at the river edge. The two Japanese engineers were "Ooh Ahh" about this large one about the same as the 6:40 one at edge of the concrete. I handed my DSLR camera to the one engineer, and proceeded to catch that Goaana. ThecAussie guys all said I must be crazy. Well maybe, but having caught others before I was confident. On first attempt I had it behind its head and at base of tail but had to straddle the body. But they are VERY strong and it put me off balance and the claws where heading to my legs. I had to shift a bit and it broke free. I tried holding, but it slipped free and ran around a small bush. I went again and had it lifted a bit off the ground damp heavy and its tail tried whipping around. As the Japanese were snapping photos on their cameras I had to drop it again. On third try the Goanna had enough at broke my grip again but this time raced about 80 to 100m away where it sat hissing furiously. All agreed that was enough, the Japanese were so impressed that I would take on such a Dragon as they expressed it, the Aussies just said I must be out of my mind. Other than one minor scratch and annoying the Goanna no harm done. Yet do strongly recommend that without experience DO NOT TRY THE SAME they can do very serious injury. Some say these monitor lizards have some venom, but it is a disputed issue. They do however definitely carry a horrid does of bacteria in the jaws and teeth, that can cause extreme serious infection. Animals bitten may take days to die from the septic wound and their teeth do very nasty bite wounds. The claws create bad deep wounds and the whipping tail can be very painful leaving bruises at best and even broken skin wounds at worst. Smaller animals can have broken bones or be killed by the tail blow. I think for us humans could break fingers or possibly even wrist or ankle. Now being some 25 years older, and likely slower I might well decide to leave it alone not try to grab it. In long past I have chased and caught several smaller, mainly, Goanna and in some cases had them trying to climb small trees, and grabbing their tail as they scurried up, even had them jump and run down my back leaving some scrappes through the T shirt, and denim jacket. Largest I ever handled was a big near 3m road victim hit by at least one car, bleeding from its mouth. I stopped and dragged it, it was too heavy to try to lift, off the road into the scrub. Hoping that it may possibly survive, as reptiles do seem tough to kill, at least not have it mashed into the road as cars and trucks kept running over it. Impressive creatures and nice to see in real life.
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