For crocdoc2 and MikesMonitors: I think you both made an excellent assumption re using their snouts to check the temps and humidity in the potential nesting site/s; it`s known they have microscopic "hairlike" structures in their scales (around the head at least), and clearly, the tongue wouldn`t work in that way, as wonderful a sensory organ as it is. R.G. Sprackland did some work on the structures I mention, I know I have the article/book, but can`t remember the title?
I`ve noticed very many times in my Varanids that they use the snout to "feel" things, so perhaps not just for texture, but in the way you both described, too. They must have the ability to check those things, otherwise, they`d surely use "dead" mounds to deposit their eggs quite regularly, as well as too cold earth.
A new discovery, perhaps!?

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