Varanus timorensis
| Timor Monitor | |
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| Conservation status | |
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LR
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Species: | V. timorensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus timorensis Gary, 1831 |
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| Synonyms | |
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Monitor timorensis |
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The Timor Monitor or Spotted Tree Monitor (Varanus timorensis) is a species of small monitor lizard native to the island of west and east Timor.
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[edit] Description
The Timor Monitor is generally a dark green or almost black in color, with bright gold-yellow spotting all along its back and a lighter straw-yellow coloring on its underside. They have a pointed nose, excellent eyesight, very good hearing, sharp teeth, and a long tail. They also have long, sharp claws well suited for climbing. The species grows to a length of 2-2/12ft (61-68cm).
[edit] Behavior
Timor monitors are arboreal, diurnal lizards. Their diet consists of a variety of things, including: insects, scorpions, small rodents, and other reptiles, such as geckos and small snakes. Breeding takes place from December to March, and clutches of up to 11 eggs are laid and incubate for three to four months, depending on the average temperature. Hatchlings are approximately 5 inches long, but grow quickly.
[edit] Geographic distribution
The Timor Monitor is found in Indonesia, specifically the islands of Timor, Savu and Rote, and in East Timor.
[edit] In captivity
The Timor Monitor is frequently captive bred, but more largely imported and available in the exotic pet trade. The species can be nervous, and difficult to handle, but its small size makes it an attracting choice for a Varanid lizard. They are easy to house in a vivarium with plenty of climbing space, many small, tight hiding spaces, a basking spot of 120-140 degrees F, keep the ambient temperature at 75-80F at the cool end of the tank, and 85-90F at the warm side, and a medium sized bowl of clean fresh water as they occasionaly soak in the water and they readily feed on a diet of commercially available crickets, roaches and rodents, with an occasional scrambled egg made without butter, but not as a stable part of the diet.
[edit] References
- Cogger, H. (1967). Australian Reptiles in Colour. Sydney: A. H. & A. W. Reed, ISBN 0-589-07012-6
- King, Dennis & Green, Brian. 1999. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X
- Species Varanus timorensis at The Reptile Database
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