Ecology of the perentie in desert Australia – Kari Soennichsen

Join us for our next Watch Party!

The remote desert regions of Australia encompass unique ecosystems with highly biodiverse reptile assemblages. Many of these areas are “ruled” by a reptilian apex predator, the perentie. Despite its wide distribution and impressive size of over 2m, fairly little is known about the spatial and reproductive ecology of this monitor lizard in the wild.

Our research project looks to illuminate these aspects by studying habits, behaviours, and movements of several perenties over a multi-year time frame. Join us for a trip into the arid landscapes of the Northern Territory, where you’ll get a glimpse of the region’s incredible herpetofauna and learn about our adventures radio-tracking these impressive lizards.

Kari Soennichsen is a Masters student at Macquarie University, examining perentie ecology in desert Australia. She has a background in wild animal biology and neuroscience and a passion for herpetology and animal behaviour. She is thrilled to be combining her academic background, interest in photography, and love for the outdoors and varanids by roaming the desert in search

of answers to the many questions that remain about the perentie.