Mitchell's water monitor
| Mitchell's water monitor | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | V. (Odatria) |
| Species: | V. mitchelli |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus mitchelli Mertens, 1958[1][2] | |
Mitchell's water monitor (Varanus mitchelli) is a species of monitor lizards native to Australia.[3] It was named after Francis J. Mitchell of the South Australian Museum.[4] It reaches a length of up to 70 cm. It is generally dark in colour and has many small yellow spots or dark-centered ocelli.[1]
Mitchell's water monitor is found in the north part of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.[1][2] It is found around swamps, lagoons, inland rivers, and other bodies of water. It often is found on trees close to the water. It prefers to shelter in tree hollows and under bark.[1][5]
In the wild, V. mitchelli will make for water if it is disturbed.[1] In captivity, Mitchell's water monitor is reported to be very nervous and shy. It breeds regularly in captivity in Australia.[5] Mitchell's water monitor preys on smaller animals of both terrestrial and aquatic origin. Its prey includes: smaller lizards, small mammals, nestling birds, reptile eggs and terrestrial invertebrates (orthopterans, arachnids, beetles etc.) Aquatic prey include: fish, crabs and frogs.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Goannas (Varanidae family of Lizards). Komododragon.biz. Retrieved on 2012-08-22.
- 1 2 "GBIF.org". Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- ↑ Wolfgang Böhme (2003), Checklist of the living lizards of the world (family Varanidae) (341 of Zoölogische verhandelingen), Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, p. 32, ISBN 978-90-73239-86-9
- ↑ Eric R. Pianka, Dennis King, Ruth Allen King (2004). Varanoid lizards of the world. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-34366-6. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- 1 2 3 "Mampam.com". Retrieved 3 July 2010.
Further reading
- Zipcodezoo.com
- OZ Monitors Photos at Kingsnake.com
- Photos at Pbase.com
- Ávalos, J. de & Martínez Carrión, P. 1997. Warane Reptilia (Münster) 2 (5): 16–21
- Bennet, D.F. 2003. Australische Warane. Reptilia (Münster) 8 (5): 18–25
- Bennet, D.F. 2003. Australian Monitors. Reptilia (GB) (30): 12–19
- Bonetti (2002). 100 Sauri. Mondadori (Milano), 192 pp.
- Bustard, H. R. 1970. Australian Lizards. Sydney: Collins 162 pp.
- Cogger,H.G. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 6th ed. Ralph Curtis Publishing, Sanibel Island, 808 pp.
- De Lisle, H.F. 1996. Natural History of Monitor Lizards. Krieger, Malabar (Florida)
- Eidenmüller, B. 2007. Small monitors in the terrarium. Reptilia (GB) (50): 12–19
- Mertens, R. 1958. Bemerkungen über die Warane Australiens. Senckenberg. Biol. 39: 229–264
- Storr G M 1980. The monitor lizards (genus Varanus Merrem, 1820) of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 8(2) 1980: 237–293
- Swanson, S. 1976. Lizards of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Sydney 80 pp.
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