Mangrove goanna

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Mangrove Montitor
Conservation status
LR
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Species: V. indicus
Binomial name
Varanus indicus

The Mangrove Monitor or the Mangrove Goanna, Varanus indicus, is a member of the monitor lizard family native to the Solomon Islands that grows to lengths of 3 ½ feet to 4 feet.

Contents

[edit] Anatomy and morphology

The Mangrove Monitor is a quadruped with powerful legs, able to propel its heavy body forward at surprising speeds. The monitor's body is black or dark green in color and covered with golden yellow spots. Each of its feet is armed with five sharply clawed toes. One characteristic of this monitor is that it possesses the ability to greatly increase the size of the mouth by spreading the hyoid apparatus and dropping the lower jaw in order to eat large prey. A process mildly similar in appearance to snakes, though the jaw of Mangrove Monitors remains rigid.

[edit] Habitat

The Mangrove monitor ranges throughout Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands and Marianas Islands were it inhabits damp forests near coastal rivers.

[edit] Pets and Captive Care

Mangrove monitors are often kept as pets as they are an active and alert animal that generally does not bite while being handled. They grow to a moderate size from three to five feet long.
It is estimated that they can live from 15 to 20 years in captivity.

[edit] References

  • Cogger, H. (1967). Australian Reptiles in Colour. Sydney: A. H. & A. W. Reed, ISBN 0-589-07012-6
  • King, Dennis & Green, Brian. 1999. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X