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COMMON NAME: Lace Monitor
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Varanus varius
FAMILY: Varanidae
GENUS: Varanus
STATUS: Secure
SIZE (cm): 200 |
DESCRIPTION: Extremely large monitor with long slender
tail, round in cross-section at base and strongly laterally compressed
distally. Two distinct colour forms occur. Common widespread form: Pattern
prominent on juveniles, darkening to virtual absence on adults. Ground
colour of juveniles pale bluish grey spotted with yellow. Approximately
5 narrow black bands (each curving forward laterally to form U shape)
extend across neck, and approximately 8 pairs of bands extend between
shoulders and hips. Top of head blackish, mottled or spotted with yellow.
Snout prominently banded with black and yellow, each band extending
onto chin. Lips yellow bearing broad black bar from beneath eye onto
chin. Fore-limbs narrowly banded with black and yellow. Hindlimbs black,
spotted with yellow. Tail banded with black and yellow to cream; narrowly
on base, broadly on distal two-thirds. Ventral surfaces yellow banded
with black. Adults are dark grey to dull bluish black, usually retaining
some indication of bands and/or pale spots. Yellow and black chin markings
are almost invariably retained. Banded or Bell's form: Ground colour
yellowish brown to bright yellow, finely mottled with black and marked
with very broad irregular dark brown to black bands between shoulders
and tail-tip. Top of head black, blotched with yellow; dark pigment
usually continuous with broad black U-shaped band on neck. Limbs and
ventral surfaces banded with black and yellow. SVL 0.7 m. TL 2.0 m.
PREFERRED HABITAT: Subhumid to humid eastern Australia
from south-eastern Cape York Peninsula, Qld, to south-eastern SA.
Occurs in a variety of habitats, from woodlands to wet sclerophyll
and rainforests. Common form extends continuously throughout range.
Bell's form appears restricted to subhumid areas from northern NSW
to mideastern Qld.
MICROHABITAT: Regularly forages on ground, dashing
to nearest tree when disturbed. Shelters in hollow trunks, limbs and
logs.
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