Bites on human digits by a lace monitor ('V.

However, Dr Fry suspected that dragons shared a common feature with lace monitors, related lizards known for their venomous saliva.

One protein produced by the lace monitor, an Australian relative of the Komodo dragon, causes the aorta to relax suddenly.

The finger swelled and bled for half an hour, probably as a result of blood-thinning toxins produced by the lace monitor.

Regent parrots nest deep inside the river red gums along the Murray River to avoid predatory lace monitors.

The most recent comprehensive study proposes a sister-taxon relationship with the Komodo dragon based on neurocranial similarities, with the lace monitor as the closest living Australian relative.

The lace monitor (V. varius) is probably the best-known amongst these, but is not the most common.

The jungle around the river is a good spot to see one of Australia's largest lizards: the lace monitor.

Maximum weight of lace monitor can be 20 kg(44 lb), but most adults are much smaller.

Australian Outback: features kangaroos, emus, wombats, koalas, echidnas, lace monitors and a variety of small bird aviaries.