| Varanus obor | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
|
LR
|
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Scleroglossa |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | V. (Euprepiosaurus) |
| Species: | V. obor |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus obor Weijola and Sweet 2010 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
none |
|
Varanus obor, the Sago or Torch Monitor, is a species of monitor lizard endemic to the Indonesian island of Sanana.
Varanus obor is the only melanistic member of the Pacific monitor (Varanus indicus) group, and the only species belonging to the subgenus Euprepiosaurus, which has prominent red-orange markings on the body. Proportions of the body and the construction of scales most closely resembles Varanus melinus, which can be found on the islands of Mangole and Taliabu. Most often V. obor occurs in coastal sago palm swamps - a habitat that is underutilized by other species of the V. indicus group, but is also frequently encountered in riparian habitats and rainforests.[1] It can reach lengths of 0.8 to 1.5 meters in length and weighs between 0.5 and 1.5 kg. The lizard was named "obor" (meaning "torch" in Indonesian) due to its unique coloration.[2]
Varanus obor was first seen in the wild by Valter Weijola, who in March and April 2009 visited Sanana. One preserved specimen (the holotype), apparently collected between 1860 and 1866, is housed in Naturalis (formerly Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, later Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum), Leiden, the Netherlands.[1]
The V. obor is found in Indonesia, specifically on the island of Sanana.