PERENTY Varanus giganteus (Gray, 1845)
The longest monitor found in Australia, this species grows to more than 2 metres in length. Specimens of nearly 3 metres are known. Found in inland parts of Queensland, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, this lizard is usually found in the vicinity of rocky hills and outcrops. It often digs burrows under boulders, fallen trees and other cover, and when pursued will take to these burrows or nearby rock crevices, from where it can be hard to dislodge. Pursued specimens have also been known to take to trees.
Specimens occasionally stray further away from their usual habitat and are sometimes seen crossing roads, mainly in spring and autumn, or in summer during the early morning before it gets excessively hot. The Perenty feeds on a variety of vertebrates and carrion.
In many areas the Perenry actually hibernates during the colder winter months, remaining within its burrow.
About nine eggs are laid, which take from six to nine months to hatch, during the warmer months.

The above was from the book Australian Reptiles and Frogs by Raymond Hoser and now available on a fantastic CD-Rom along with a vast amount of other information, papers and the like on reptiles, frogs and other wildlife.