Sand goanna (Varanus gouldii) predation on a painted dragon (Ctenophorus pictus) and a mulga parrot (Psephotellus varius) in South Australia.

Predation can substantially influence biotic communities and is therefore an important aspect of the natural history of both predator and prey (Sih et al. 1985). Predation is rarely observed and often is inferred through the examination of digestive tract contents of predators. This unfortunately entails the collection and sacrifice of animals from the wild, which can be perceived as unethical if not part of a larger project. However, the collection and dissection of predators found dead on roads is an ethical practice for obtaining information on prey utilized by the predator...