Peacock monitor
| Peacock Monitor | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Subgenus: | Odatria
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| Species: | V. auffenbergi
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| Binomial name | |
| Varanus auffenbergi Sprackland, 1999[1]
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The Peacock Monitor (Varanus auffenbergi), also known as Auffenberg's Monitor, is a species of small monitor lizard native to the island of Roti, Indonesia.[2] It belongs to the subgenus Odatria[2] along with the Pilbara Monitor and King's Goanna.
Description
The Peacock Monitor is one of the smaller monitor lizards, usually reaching a length of 60 cm (23.5 inches.)[2]. It is similar to the Timor Monitor (Varanus timorensis) with some differentiaton in the underside coloring and patterns. The coloring patterns will fade as these lizards reach adulthood. They have blue-grey ocelli whereas the Timor Monitor has cream colored ocelli.[3]
Behavior
In the wild Peacock monitors have been seen climbing the trunks of palms and then basking on the crowns of these trees.[4] They are mild and shy compared to other monitor lizards. Peacock monitors remain shy even in captivity.[2]
References
- ^ "ITIS.gov". Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Reptiliana.wordpress.com". (Retrieved Feb. 10, 2010.)
- ^ monitor-lizards.net (Retrieved Feb. 10, 2010.)
- ^ Del Canto, R. Notes on the occurrence of Varanus auffenbergi on Roti Island. Biawak Quarterly Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry, Vol 1 No 1., August 2007
Further reading
- JCVI.org (Downloaded Feb. 10, 2010.)
- Varanaus.nl (Downloaded Feb. 10, 2010.)
- ITIS.gov (Downloaded Feb.11, 2010)
- Museumstuff.com (Downloaded Feb.11, 2010)
- Wesiak, K., Unterbringung, Pflege und Nachzucht von Varanus (1999). (Odatria) auffenbergi SPRACKLAND [Housing, care and breeding of Varanus (Odatria) auffenbergi SPRACKLAND 1999.
- Green, Brian & Dennis Goanna King (1999). Monitors : The Biology of Varanid Lizards, 2nd ed. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar.
- King, Ruth Allen; Pianka, Eric R.; King, Dennis (2004). Varanoid Lizards of the World. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. pp. 225–229. ISBN 0-253-34366-6.
- King, Dennis & Green, Brian. (1999). Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X