Man films moment goanna latches onto his leg in north-west Queensland

Matterson Knyvett was working at Cardon Station between McKinlay and Kynuna, when he captured the moment a goanna latched onto his ankle while out on the job.

"I always thought goanna skinned boots would be pretty cool but this is not what I pictured," Mr Knyvett said before turning the camera around to show a goanna attached to his ankle.

"Lets show the ladies how beautiful you are."

Mr Knyvett moved to a better light to show the predatory lizard with back claws attacked to his ankle and tail wrapped tight.

"I was just out on the flat picking up tin and rubbish, when I picked up a bit of tin and the goanna was under it and scared the shit out of me," he said

"He tried to run up my leg when I took the tin away."

In two videos he shared to the Ringers From The Top End Facebook page, Mr Knyvett attempts to shake the goanna from his ankle, before the goanna swung to bite his boot.

"I grabbed his head and politely persuaded him that we should be practising social distancing and removed him from my leg," he said.

"The calmer you are the calmer the animal is, reptiles especially."

Goannas are well represented in Australia and 19 species are found in Queensland.

All goannas can grow up to 2.4 metres long and are carnivorous, consuming anything they can overpower; including insects, small mammals, frogs, birds and reptiles. The larger species will even tackle large, dangerously venomous snakes.

Experts said goanna bites can be dangerous because the carnivores feed on carrion, and toxic bacteria in their mouths can cause pain, swelling and prolonged bleeding.