Emerald tree monitor
Emerald tree monitor[1] | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Varanidae |
Genus: | Varanus |
Subgenus: | Hapturosaurus |
Species: | V. prasinus
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Binomial name | |
Varanus prasinus Schlegel, 1839
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Distribution of the emerald tree monitor, shown in red. |
The emerald tree monitor (Varanus prasinus) or green tree monitor, is a small to medium-sized
Names
It is known as wbl km in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea.[5]
Taxonomy
Varanus prasinus was first described as Monitor viridis by
Varanus prasinus is a member of the subgenus Euprepiosaurus. It is closely related to several other
Evolutionary history
The family
Distribution
Emerald tree monitors and their close relatives can be found on the island of New Guinea (split between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) as well as several adjacent islands,[16] and the northern Torres Strait Islands.[17] The green tree monitor is reported to thrive in lowland environments, including tropical evergreen forests, palm swamps and cocoa plantations.[17]
Description
The emerald tree monitor is about 75–100 cm (30–39 in) long with a slender body that helps it support itself on narrow branches. It uses its
Ecology
When threatened, the emerald tree monitor will flee through vegetation or bite if cornered.
It is one of the few social monitors, living in small groups made up of a dominant male, several females, and a few other males and juveniles.[3]
Diet
The emerald tree monitor's diet consists of large tree-dwelling
Reproduction
Clutches consist of up to five eggs, each weighing 10.5–11.5 g (0.37–0.41 oz) and measuring about 2 by 4.5 cm (0.79 by 1.77 in). As many as three clutches are laid throughout the year; clutches have been laid by captives in January, March, April, November, and December. The female emerald tree monitor lays her eggs in arboreal termite nests.[19] The eggs hatch between 160 and 190 days later, typically from June to November, after which the young eat the termites and the termite's eggs within minutes of hatching.[19] Sexual maturity is reached in about one year.[7]
References
- ^ "Varanus prasinus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
- ^ Shea, G., Allison, A., Parker, F. & Tallowin, O. 2018. Varanus prasinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T42485751A101752115. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T42485751A101752115.en.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7894-7764-4.
- ISBN 978-0-8120-9696-5.
- ^ Bulmer, RNH (1975). "Kalam Classification of Reptiles And Fishes". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 84 (3): 267–308. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Bennett, D. (1995). A Little Book of Monitor Lizards. Aberdeen, UK: Viper Press.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-253-34366-6.
- ^ Jacobs, H. J. (2003). A further new emerald tree monitor lizard of the Varanus prasinus species group from Waigeo, West Irian (Squamata: Sauria: Varanidae). Salamandra 39(2): 65-74
- .
- PMID 26475614.
- PMID 12769459.
- PMID 22809723.
- .
- ISBN 0253343666.
- ^ Sweet, Samuel S.; Pianka, Eric R. (2007). "Monitors, mammals, and Wallace's Line" (PDF). Mertensiella. 16: 79–99.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-520-24847-2.
- ^ OCLC 807420701.
- ISBN 978-0-8317-2786-4.
- ^ OCLC 14915452.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-86622-634-9.
- ^ "Varanus prasinus (Emerald Monitor)". Animal Diversity Web.
- ^ "Varanus Prasinus".
- ISBN 978-1-882770-39-7.