Mangrove monitor
Mangrove monitor | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Varanidae |
Genus: | Varanus |
Subgenus: | Euprepiosaurus |
Species: | V. indicus
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Binomial name | |
Varanus indicus |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Indicus_in_breed.jpg/220px-Indicus_in_breed.jpg)
The mangrove monitor,
Taxonomy
The mangrove monitor was first described by the French
The
Due to its large geographic
Distribution and habitat
The mangrove monitor's range extends throughout northern Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, where it inhabits damp forests near coastal rivers, mangroves, and permanent inland lakes. It also occurs on the
Anatomy and morphology
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Varanus_indicus_01.jpg/220px-Varanus_indicus_01.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Varanus_indicus_3.jpg/220px-Varanus_indicus_3.jpg)
The monitor's body is dark green or black in color and covered with golden-yellow spots, with light coloration on the top of its head and a solid, cream-colored belly lacking dark markings.[6] It has a distinct dark purple tongue and serrated teeth.[6][11] The mangrove monitor attains different sizes in different parts of its range, but seldom if ever exceeds 1.3 m in total length.[6] Australian herpetologist Harold Cogger gives a total length of 100 cm for Australian specimens.[12] The tail is almost twice the length of the body and laterally compressed to aid in swimming. Like the rest of the lizard's body, it is covered with small, oval, keeled scales.[11]
This monitor has the ability to increase the size of its mouth by spreading the
The mangrove monitor is one of only two species of monitor lizards that possess
Diet
The mangrove monitor is an opportunistic carnivore, feeding on the eggs of reptiles and birds, mollusks, rodents, insects, crabs, smaller lizards, fish, and carrion.[12][15][16] Mangrove monitors are the only monitor capable of catching fish in deep water.[17] In some parts of its range, it is known to eat juvenile crocodiles.[6]
Reproduction
Males fight for females, and in one observation, after mounting the female, the male used his chin to rub the dorsum of the female's head and forequarters. While mounted and oriented head to head, the male and female slowly rotated in a clockwise direction through 360°, with the male remaining superior.[10]
Female mangrove monitors lay two to 12 eggs that measure 3.5 to 5 cm in length. The oblong eggs are white, and hatch in about seven to eight months.[18]
The first successful captive breeding of this species was at the Philadelphia Zoo in 1993.
The Reptilian Zoo in Vlissingen, the Netherlands,[19] was reported to have successfully hatched eggs by a female animal which was not in any contact with a male of the same species.
Contact with humans
Humans have introduced the mangrove monitor to a number of Pacific Islands since the 1930s.
The mangrove monitor is hunted in many places for its skin, which is used for leather in making drum heads.
Mangrove monitors are often kept in zoos and private collections, as they are an active and alert, and generally can be handled if tamed properly.[15] Most specimens defecate on their handlers when stressed.[11] With proper care they can live up to 20 years in captivity.[15]
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Wikispecies-logo.svg/34px-Wikispecies-logo.svg.png)
- . Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ a b Daudin, F.M. (1802). Histoire Naturelle, génerale et particulièredes reptiles, ouvrage faisant suite, a l'histoiure naturelle, générale et particulière composée par Leclerc de Buffon, et redigée par C. S. Sonnini (in French). Vol. 3. Paris.
- ^ "Varanus indicus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
- ^ Bulmer, RNH (1975). Kalam Classification Of Reptiles And Fishes. Journal of the Polynesian Society 84(3): 267–308.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sprackland, Robert (March 1997). "Mangrove monitor lizards". Reptiles Magazine: 48–63.
- ISBN 0-253-34366-6.
- ^ "Recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee". CITES. 1997-03-07. Archived from the original on 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
- PMID 32537217.
- ^ a b "Mangrove Monitor Lizards". Honolulu Zoo. Archived from the original on 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ a b c d e f Bennett, D. (1995). A Little Book of Monitor Lizards. Aberdeen, U.K.:Viper Press.
- ^ ISBN 0-589-07012-6
- ISBN 0-86840-456-X.
- ^ Cota, Michael (2008). "Varanus indicus and its Presence on the Mariana Islands: Natural Geographic Distribution vs.Introduction" (PDF). BIAWAK. 2 (1). International Varanid Interest Group: 18–28. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ ISBN 0-86622-634-6.
- ^ a b c d e Dryden, G. (1965). The food and feeding habits of Varanus indicus on Guam. Micronesica 2(1):73-76.
- ^ Traeholt, C. (1993). "Notes on the feeding behaviour of the water monitor, Varanus salvator." Malay. Nat. J. 46: 229-241.
- ISBN 3-930612-10-0.
- ^ "Reptielenzoo Iguana". Archived from the original on 2010-08-25. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
- ^ a b Uchida, T. (1967). Observations on the monitor lizard, Varanus indicus (Daudin) as a rat control agent on Ifaluk, Western Caroline Islands. Micronesica 3(1):17-18
- ISBN 0-8240-6038-5.
- ^ a b Sprackland, R. G. (1993). Rediscovery of a Solomon Islands monitor lizard (Varanus indicus spinulous) Mertens, 1941. Vivarium 4(5):25-27.