Comments by "Helmuth Schultes" (@helmuthschultes9243) on "American REacts to The Biggest Lizards in Australia.." video.

  1. The PERENTI is the largest BY LENGTH, but we have several large Goanna species over much of Australia. While the Perenti can exceed 7 feet length, and is rather slim build, leading to being very fast runners, likely fastest as well as longest Goanna Australia has. By body mass several other Gonanna types have much bigger body, wider torso and heavier build, so in many ways bigger by mass if not maximum length of some Perenti. I have removed several large Goannas from roadways after getting hit by cars. Some big enough that two people had to drag it from road, into nearby scrub and forest. Some would have recovered, but some so badly injured unlikely to survive. At least they were not being run over repeatedly, turned into mashed mess smeared over the road, and given a chance if not too internally injured to recover. Reptiles do have excellent self healing, and taking into a rescue centre is not always practicle, sadly. Among catching lizards and Gonnas, I have caught various Gonnas, some over 3 feet long. One Perenti around that 3 foot length I chased for some distance, they do run fast, and outdistanced me several times. But I caught it as it tried hiding in various bushes and large grass tussocks. It broke free of my grip several times and ran again. Finally it climbed a small tree, where I grabbed it off the tree trunk. It jumped down my back, its claws digging through a denim jacket and denim shirt leaving several puncture marks of its very sharp claws. But I finally had hold of neck bade and tail base. I handled it for nearly 1/2 hr with it being quite gentle and docile. Gave it some meat pieces and it happily munched several fruit pieces. On release it hissed, slowly started walking away, turned back to walk to me, tongue flicking at my feet. Then walked away. On getting nearly 20 feet away, ran quicker into some scrub. On one car test trip in Kunnunura WA, with several local and Japanese test engineers viewing, we found a large dark grey wide bodied Goanna by the river edge. Getting a Japanese engineer to hold my camera, I proceeded to try to grab this over 4 foot long Goanna. It was simply too strong, as on several careful attempts to get a good hold it just pulled free of my grip. Had to be very careful to avoid the claws and mouth of teeth. Could have got seriously injured, but especially the Japanese were impressed that I would dare grab such a 'Dragon' . The Aussies were more concerned that I could be injured, quite a possibility. After some 5 or so attempts to grab and hold it, the Goanna ran a short distance away before it settled closer to the road river ford crossing. Have had many reptile adventures including many lizard, monitor, snake types. Including swimming in crocodile fresh and saltie occupied waters . No serious injuries in my 73 years, though far from " crocodile hunter " class adventurer. Had scratches and even some lizard bites, fortunatley nothing dangerous like a Goanna bite, mainly smalller lizards and no serious venomous snake bites. At my current age would no longer be so prepared to take the risks I once did, being a bit slower and less active, mobile.
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