Rust-headed monitor
| Rust-headed monitor | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Varanus semiremex | ||||||||||||
| Peters , 1869 |
The rust-headed monitor lizard ( Varanus semiremex ) is a small-stature species of monitor lizards ( Varanus ) native to northeastern Australia , which is placed together with other small Australian monitor lizards in the subgenus Odatria . Little research has been done on it.
features
The Rostkopfwaran is a small monitor with a maximum total length of around 60 cm with a head-trunk length of 25 to 27 cm. The tail length is 1.6 times the head-trunk length. The tail is round in cross section at the base, but in the last two thirds it is flattened laterally as a rudder tail.
Rust-headed monitor lizards are mainly gray-brown, and are marked with numerous blackish spots and points, which are arranged as a fine net pattern on the upper side of the body. The belly is banded white to cream and irregularly brown. The northern populations on the Cape York Peninsula are darker in color than southern animals and have brown to white eye spots on the neck and body.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the rust-headed monitor extends from the entire Cape York peninsula along the east coast of Queensland to Brisbane . The species penetrates freshwater rivers, creeks, lakes and swamps 50–100 km inland, but prefers the mangroves on the coast. They also inhabit the forests that border wetlands.
Way of life
Like all monitor lizards, the Rostkopfwaran is diurnal. He is a semi-aquatic (partly aquatic) tree dweller and a skilled swimmer. They are quite shy and hide from threats and at night in tree hollows from branches that hang over the water of the mangroves. The food of the Rostkopfwaran consists of insects, geckos , frogs, crustaceans such as crabs and fish. Occasionally, small mammals complement the food spectrum. Food is sought in the trees, on the ground, on the areas exposed during low tide and in the water. Nasal salt glands enable the Rostkopfwaran to consume marine, salty animals such as crabs and make salty water drinkable.
The Rostkopfwaran reaches sexual maturity with a head-trunk length of about 15 cm. The males engage in typical war commentary fights for females; after mating in the late rainy season (February – April) the female lays 2–14 eggs.
Systematics
The first description was in 1869 by the German zoologist Wilhelm Peters , the holotype from Cape York is under the copy number ZMB 5776 in the Museum of Natural History (Berlin) . Within Varanus , the rust-headed monitor is assigned to the Australian dwarf monitor of the subgenus Odatria .
Danger
The Rostkopfwaran is considered endangered. Threats include habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation through further expansion of industry, cities and infrastructure, and illegal, uncontrolled hunting for the pet trade. The Queensland Government also recommends creating protection zones within 100 meters of trees with tree hollows, as these trees are important hiding places for the monitor lizards. In addition, the monitor lizards are threatened by feral pigs and the neozoic , highly poisonous toad ( Bufo marinus ) in Australia . Monitor lizards die from skin toxins when they take the toad in their mouths for consumption; since the toad has been introduced, the monitor lizards are not careful of them.
swell
- ER Pianka (2004): Varanus semiremex . In: ER Pianka & DR King (Eds.): Varanoid Lizards of the World , pp. 462-465. Indiana University Press, Bloomington & Indianapolis. ISBN 0253343666
- ↑ M. Fitzgerald: Rusty monitor Varanus semiremex. (No longer available online.) Queensland Government, 2007, archived from the original on March 14, 2011 ; Retrieved February 6, 2011 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
Web links
- Varanus semiremex in The Reptile Database
- R. Jackson (2005): The poorly known rusty monitor Varanus semiremex: history, natural history, captive breeding and husbandry (PDF; 67 kB) .