Spiny-tailed monitor
Spiny-tailed monitor | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Varanidae |
Genus: | Varanus |
Subgenus: | Odatria |
Species: | V. acanthurus
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Binomial name | |
Varanus acanthurus Boulenger, 1885
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Subspecies | |
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Distribution of the spiny-tailed monitor |
The spiny-tailed monitor[2] (Varanus acanthurus), also known as the Australian spiny-tailed monitor, the ridge-tailed monitor[3] the Ackie dwarf monitor, and colloquially simply ackie monitor,[4] is an Australian species of lizard belonging to the genus of monitor lizards (Varanus).
Description
The spiny-tailed monitor, a somewhat small monitor lizard, can attain a total length of up to 70 cm (27 in), although there are unconfirmed reports of wild individuals growing up to 34 inches.
Distribution and habitat
This
Subspecies and taxonomy
The spiny-tailed monitor is part of an Indonesian and Australian radiation of dwarf monitor lizards, the subgenus Odatria.[8][9]
Three subspecies of V. acanthurus are recognized:
- V. a. acanthurus of northwestern and northern Australia
- V. a. brachyurus of western and central Australia, Queensland[10]
- V. a. insulanicus of Groote Eylandt and the islands of the Wessel group[2][3]
In the pet trade, two "variants" of spiny-tailed monitors are commonly available. The "red ackie" monitor is likely the subspecies V. a. acanthurus, while the "yellow ackie" is likely V. a. brachyurus. The red ackie is generally larger and less commonly available than the yellow ackie.[5][11]
The taxonomic status of the three subspecies is uncertain.
Ecology
Spiny-tailed monitors are diurnal, typically solitary ground-dwellers. This species is most often found in its shelter, mainly under rock slabs, wedged among boulders or in rock crevices, and in burrows. Only rarely do they hide in
Diet
They prey mainly on arthropods, such as grasshoppers, beetles, cockroaches, spiders, isopods, caterpillars, cicadas, snails, stick insects, centipedes, crickets, and ticks.[12] Small lizards such as skinks, geckos, dragon lizards, or possibly smaller monitor lizards are also eaten, making up about a third of its diet, as well as marsupial joeys.[13][14][15] Approximately 70% of its water requirement comes from food.[6]
In captivity, they are sometimes fed cat and dog food as well as processed canned food. This isn't recommended as this type of food doesn't contain the correct nutrients for this species.[16] A varied diet rich with different vertebrate and invertebrate prey (such as Dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms, eggs, shrimp, and, on a monthly basis, rodents) is important to the health of captive spiny-tailed monitors, as they naturally have a wide range of prey in the wild.[12][17]
Reproduction
There are a number of methods of sexing ackie monitors, although the hemipenal transillumination technique[18] is generally considered to be the easiest and most accurate. Sex can also be guessed using visual markers, but it is typically not nearly as accurate. Male ackie monitors are generally larger, have blockier heads, and have grippy scales on the underside of their tail. Females are generally smaller with narrower, pointier heads, and smooth scales under their tail.[19]
In captivity, a clutch consists of up to 18 eggs. The young hatch after three to five months of incubation, and measure 15 cm (6 in). The knowledge on reproduction in the wild is sparse. Males most likely mature at 30 cm (12 in) snout-vent length, females mature at 25–36 cm (10–14 in) snout-vent length. Ovulation occurs in August and November. The eggs are deposited in self-dug tunnels.[6] In the wild, females have been shown to share massive burrows, nesting communally.[20]
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-877069-76-5. P 392.
- ^ ISBN 0-88359-048-4. Pp 359-361.
- ^ "Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden". Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
- ^ a b "Spiny-Tailed Monitor Lizard Care Tips". Reptiles Magazine. 2011-12-01. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ ISBN 0-253-34366-6.
- )
- ^ Böhme W. 2003. Checklist of the living monitor lizards of the world (family Varanidae). Zoologische Verhandelingen 341, pp 3–43.
- ^ a b Fitch AJ, Goodman AE, Donnellan SC. 2006. A molecular phylogeny of the Australian monitor lizards (Squamata:Varanidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Australian Journal of Zoology 54, p 253-269.
- ^ ISBN 9783896242907.
- ^ Kuhn, Peter; Julander, Justin (1999). "Husbandry and Captive Breeding of the Red Acanthurus Monitor Varanus acanthurus: A Giant Dwarf". Vivarium. 10.
- ^ a b c King, Dennis (2008). "The Diet and Foraging Strategy of Varanus acanthurus" (PDF). Biawak. 2 (1): 11–17.
- ISSN 0024-4066.
- ^ "Ackie's Dwarf Monitor". 14 January 2021.
- ^ "Varanus Acantiiurus".
- ^ "Ackie Monitor". Reptile Range. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Ackies Monitor Care: Size, Enclosure, Lifespan, Diet". 21 June 2020.
- ^ Brown, Danny (2009). "Hemipenal Transillumination as a Sexing Technique in Varanids" (PDF). Biawak. 3 (1): 26–29.
- ^ "Ackie Monitor". Reptile Range. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Doody, J. & Clulow, Simon & McHenry, Colin & Brown, Michael & Vas, Gary & Canning, Gordon. (2017). Varanus acanthurus (Spiny-tailed Monitor Lizard). Communal nesting and commensalism. Herpetological Review. 48. 203.