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REPTILIA:
SQUAMATA: VARANIDAE: Varanus
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Varanus varius (Shaw, 1790)
Lace Monitor
Adult female “normal” phase in scrub at Yathong Nature
Preserve, New South Wales, October 1999. Photos & text by Dr.
Robert Sprackland.
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Range: Coastal eastern
Australia from Victoria north to near Townsville, Queensland.
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Diagnosis: A large (to 6.2
ft/ 2 m) lizard characterized by an anterior, round nostril,
laterally compressed tail, tail longer than 1.5 times snout-vent
length, and digits relatively short and stout.
Dr.
Robert Sprackland with the lace monitor seen above. Yathong Nature
Preserve, 1999.
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Description: This species
occurs in two very different color phases. The normal phase is black
with thin crossbands and numerous small yellow spots. The
“Bell’s” phase (below) is broadly banded with yellow and
black. Data now support the idea that the Bell’s phase is a
homozygous recessive condition, as it has occurred in both sexes and
in siblings from the same clutch of “normal” parents. The tail
of both phases is conspicuously banded with black and pale yellow.
This is Australia's second largest lizard, and thus one of the
largest living lizards on earth. It is easily recognized by the
comparatively large nostril near the tip of the snout and a strongly
compressed tail.
Bell’s phase lace monitor
from near Beerwah, Queensland.
Photographed by Robert
Sprackland at Australia Zoo.
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History: A wide ranging and
variable species that is remarkably consistent in ecology and
behavior. Lace monitors are true generalists, being adept at
swimming, climbing, running and burrowing. They feed on a variety of
prey including small marsupials, eggs, snakes, other lizards, large
insects and the occasional frog. |
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Reproduction: Lace
monitors are known to lay eggs in termite mounds. The females return
to dig out hatchlings when they hatch 8-9 months later.
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Taxonomy & Relationships: Lace
monitors are believed to be among the oldest varanid colonizers of
Australia. Their affinities apparently lie with the Komodo
monitor.
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Holotype: Presumed
lost.
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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.
Boylan,
Terry. 1995. Field observations, captive breeding and growth rates
of the lace monitor, Varanus varius. Herpetofauna 25(1):
10-14.
Cogger,
Harold. 1999. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. 6th edition.
Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN: 0-88359-048-4.
Cogger, Harold. 1995. Reptiles and
amphibians of Australia. 5th edition. Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN:
0-8014-2739-8.
Cogger, Harold. 1984. Australian
reptiles in colour. Revisede edition. Reed Books. ISBN:
0-7301-0043-X.
Ehmann,
Harald. 1992. Encyclopedia of
Australian animals: Reptiles. Angus & Robertson. ISBN:
0-207-17379-6.
Eidenmüller, Bernd. 1997. Warane:
Lebensweise, Pflege, Zucht. Herpeton, Offenbach. In German.
ISBN: 3-9802892-7-3.
Greer, Allen. 1989. The biology &
evolution of Australian lizards. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN:
0-949324-21-3.
Hoser, Raymond. 1989. Australian
reptiles & frogs. Pierson & Co. ISBN: 0-947068-08-2.
King, Dennis and Brian Green. 1999. Monitors:
the biology of varanid lizards. 2nd edition. Krieger
Publishing. ISBN: 1-57524-112-9.
Sprackland, Robert. 1992. Giant Lizards.
TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-86622-634-6.
Weigel, John. 1988. Care of Australian
reptiles in captivity. Australian Reptile Keepers Association.
ISBN: 0-7316-3290-7.
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