Rosenberg's monitor
| Rosenberg's monitor | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | V. (Varanus) |
| Species: | V. rosenbergi |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus rosenbergi Mertens, 1957[1] | |
Rosenberg's monitor, the heath monitor, or the southern heath monitor,[2] Varanus rosenbergi, is a species of monitor lizard endemic to Australia, where it can be found in southern regions within the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.[2]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Varanus rosenbergi. |
Etymology
The specific name, rosenbergi, is in honor of German naturalist Hermann von Rosenberg.[3]
Description
This monitor can reach a length of 1.5 m. It is dark gray with yellow and white spotting and black bands on its body and all the way down the tail. The juvenile is tinged with orange.[4]
Behaviour
Rosenberg's monitors mate over a 12-day period in January. In February and March, the female digs into a termite mound, creating a circular nest chamber. It lays up to 14 eggs. In September and October, the hatchlings emerge from the mound, generally with digging assistance from the adult.[5]
Its diet includes birds, reptiles, mammals, eggs, and carrion.[4]
References
- ↑ Varanus rosenbergi. ITIS.
- 1 2 Bennett, D. & S. S. Sweet. 2010. Varanus rosenbergi. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Downloaded on 22 June 2013.
- ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Varanus rosenbergi, p. 226).
- 1 2 Rosenberg's Goanna - profile. Threatened Species. Environment and Heritage. NSW Government.
- ↑ Green, B., et al. (1999). The behaviour and energetics of hatchling Varanus rosenbergi. Mertensiella 11 105-12.
External links
- Varanus rosenbergi. The Reptile Database.
Further reading
- King, R. A., et al. Varanoid Lizards of the World. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. 2007. pg. 225–29. ISBN 0-253-34366-6.
- King, D. & B. Green. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. 1999. ISBN 0-86840-456-X
- Rismiller, P., et al. (2007). Life history studies of Rosenberg's goanna (Varanus rosenbergi) on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Biawak 1(1): 42-43.