REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: VARANIDAE: Varanus

Varanus beccarii Doria, 1874

Black tree monitor

Photos & text by Dr. Robert G. Sprackland.

Range: Known only from the Aru Islands, south of Irian Jaya, west New Guinea.

Diagnosis:  

Description: 

Natural History:

Reproduction: Egg layer.

Taxonomy & Relationships: There is one other similar black tree monitor, Varanus bogerti of the D'Entrecasteau Islands east of the Papuan mainland. To see a comparison of the head scales of the two species , click here.

Variation:

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen: SYNTYPES: MCSNG 28723 shown below, and ZMB

 Literature: click on book to order a copy.

Sprackland, Robert. 1992. Giant Lizards. TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-86622-634-6.

Sprackland, Robert. 1999. The emerald monitor. Reptile & Amphibian Hobbyist July--4(11): 8-16.