REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: VARANIDAE: Varanus

Varanus albigularis Daudin, 1803

Cape monitor / white-throat monitor / black-throat monitor

Photos & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range: Much of eastern and southern, sub-Saharan Africa.

Diagnosis:

Description:

Natural History:

Reproduction:

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation: A tremendously variable species--especially among juveniles--which has led to the naming of many subspecies. However, work by Bayless and Sprackland (2000a, 2000b) have demonstrated that the "subspecies" are a result of ecotypic variation. No subspecies are presently recognized.

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen: Holotype MHNP (below).

Literature: Click on a book to order a copy

Bennett, Daniel. 1998. Monitor lizards: Natural history, biology & husbandry. Edition Chimaira. ISBN: 3-930612-10-0.

Eidenmüller, Bernd. 1997. Warane: Lebensweise, Pflege, Zucht. Herpeton, Offenbach. In German. ISBN: 3-9802892-7-3. 

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