Rosenberg's monitor

Rosenberg's monitor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: V. (Varanus)
Species: V. rosenbergi
Binomial name
Varanus rosenbergi
Mertens, 1957[1]

Rosenberg's monitor, the heath monitor, or the southern heath monitor,[2] Varanus rosenbergi, is a species of monitor lizard endemic to Australia, where it can be found in southern regions within the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.[2]

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Description

This monitor can reach a length of 1.5 m. It is dark gray with yellow and white spotting and black bands on its body and all the way down the tail. The juvenile is tinged with orange.[3]

Behaviour

Rosenberg's monitors mate over a 12-day period in January. In February and March, the female digs into a termite mound, creating a circular nest chamber. It lays up to 14 eggs. In September and October, the hatchlings emerge from the mound, generally with digging assistance from the adult.[4]

Its diet includes birds, reptiles, mammals, eggs, and carrion.[3]

References

  1. Varanus rosenbergi. ITIS.
  2. 1 2 Bennett, D. & S. S. Sweet. 2010. Varanus rosenbergi. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Downloaded on 22 June 2013.
  3. 1 2 Rosenberg's Goanna - profile. Threatened Species. Environment and Heritage. NSW Government.
  4. Green, B., et al. (1999). The behaviour and energetics of hatchling Varanus rosenbergi. Mertensiella 11 105-12.

External links

Further reading


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