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COMMON NAME: Spiny-tailed
or Ocellate Ridge-tailed Monitor
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Varanus acanthurus acanthurus
Boulenger
FAMILY: Varanidae
GENUS: Varanus
STATUS: Secure
SIZE (cm): 60 |
DESCRIPTION: Three subspecies recognised. V. a. acanthurus
(Boulenger, 1885) Medium-sized robust monitor with thick, strongly spinose
tail; depressed at base and round to triangular in cross-section distally.
Ground colour black, dark brown to dull or rich reddish brown, often
paler on vertebral region. Pattern usually prominent throughout most
of range, becoming obscure and flushed with red south-westwards. Numerous
transverse rows of pale reddish, yellow to cream ocelli extend over
back, flanks and occasionally top of neck. Broad pale-edged dark reddish
brown to black stripe extends from snout through eye to forelimb. Another
extends from lip. Limbs ground colour spotted with pale reddish brown,
cream to white. Anterior three-quarters of tail ground colour, narrowly
banded with cream to white. Remainder dark with little indication of
pattern. Ventral surfaces pale brown, spotted with brown on throat,
belly, hindlimbs and base of tail. SVL 0.23 m. TL 0.6 m. V. a. insulanicus
Mertens, 1958 differs from nominate form by its larger size, darker
colouration and roughly banded pattern, created by breaking of the ocelli
and joining of their pale edges. SVL 0.25 m. V. a. brachyurus Sternfeld,
1919. Further work is required to determine its status. Distinguished
from V. baritji, V. primordius and V. storri in possessing stripes on
neck.
PREFERRED HABITAT: Subhumid to arid north-western
two-thirds of Australia. Favours hard soils and rocky areas supporting
woodlands and shrub lands with dominant ground cover of tussock or
hummock grasses. V. a. insulanicus is known only from islands of north-western
NT., including Groote Eylandt, and Guluwuru and Marchinbar Islands
in the Wessel Group. V. a. acanthurus occupies remainder.
MICROHABITAT: Shelters in rock crevices, beneath
abandoned termitaria or in shallow burrows excavated beneath rocks,
logs or dense low vegetation.
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