Black-spotted ridge-tailed monitor
| Black-spotted ridge-tailed monitor | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Subgenus: | V. (Odatria)
|
| Species: | V. baritji
|
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus baritji King & Horner, 1987[1]
| |
The black-spotted ridge-tailed monitor, Varanus baritji, is a medium-sized ground dwelling monitor lizard.[2] It is also known as White’s ridged-tailed monitor[2] or White's dwarf goanna.[3] It is found in the northernmost part of the Northern Territory of Australia.[4][5]
The species name of this lizard, baritj, is an Australian aboriginal word for white, as the lizard is named after its discoverer, Dr. Neville White.[1]
Description
This monitor lizard is spiny. It is similar to Varanus acanthurus in appearance, but differs in colour patterns. For example, Varanus baritji has a bright yellow underside. However, Varanus baritji lacks the light and dark dorsal neck stripes and the light ocellated markings on its back for which Varanus acanthurus is known. The black-spotted ridge-tailed monitor can reach up to 72 cm in length.[3]
References
- ^ a b JCVI.org
- ^ a b Monitor-lizards.de
- ^ a b Mampam.com
- ^ Museum.wa.gov.au
- ^ GBIF.org
External links
Further reading
- Bennet, D.F. 2003. Australische Warane. Reptilia (Münster) 8 (5): 18-25
- Eidenmüller, B. 2007. Small monitors in the terrarium. Reptilia (GB) (50): 12-19
- Eidenmüller, B. 2007. Kleinwarane im Terrarium. Reptilia (Münster) 12 (1): 16-23
- King M; Horner P 1987. A new species of monitor (Platynota: Reptilia) from northern Australia and a note on the status of Varanus acanthurus insulanicus Mertens. The Beagle 4 (1) 1987: 73-79.
- D. Bennett. (1995). A Little Book of Monitor Lizards. Viper Press: London.
.jpg){kind=small} | This lizard article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |