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Gunther Schmida The Goannas of Australia - 2 www.guntherschmida.com.au The concept, text, lay-out and all images contained in this publication are by Gunther Schmida and protected by copyright. This volumes deal with the smaller Goannas or monitors of Australia, and most of their currently known forms. This preview shows only the first 12 pages in actual size, all others are much reduced, with each of the nine boxes per page representing one full size page. Text has been omitted as the small print became unreadable. All information given is accurate and up to date. Change pages by using up or down key on keyboard. Tablet users just need to scroll the pages. The Goannas of Australia - 2 Edition 4 -15 Gunther Schmida Emerald Monitor Varanus prasinus prasinus Tree climbers Excavators Pygmy goannas Glossary Further reading Long-tailed Rock Monitor Varanus kingorum - Turkey Creek Kimberley - WA Contents Preface Acknowledgements Cliff dwellers Masters of all terrain Spiny-tailed Monitor Varanus acanthurus - Alice Springs - NT Preface The first part of ‘The Goannas of Australia’ dealt with the larger Australian monitors and just a couple of the smaller ones. The remaining smaller species are introduced in this volume. Again they are not in alphabetical order, but grouped by their common traits those mainly living on cliff faces, those on trees, those on the ground, those found everywhere, and all the truly small ones. This organisation of species allows for much easier comparison and shows relationships far better. All volumes in this series of e-books are written for a very wide ranging readership and the language is kept as simple as possible for that reason. Some ‘jargon’ however is unavoidable and the glossary should be of help with that. As before there is a ‘further reading’ section for those wishing to learn more. But most of all, both volumes contain the largest collection of images ever shown in a publication about Australian goannas and will hopefully assist in identifying the species. More importantly, it is hoped that the quality of the images may inspire others to get interested in these intelligent reptiles and see a need to help them survive Mourning or Black-headed Monitor Varanus tristis - Female - Soudan Station - NT into the future . Short-tailed Monitor Varanus brevicauda - Male - 20 cm TL - Laverton - WA The general information with regards to the all monitors is given in the first volume. Acknowledgements: This work has been in progress for over 40 years. It would not have been possible without the generous support from many other like-minded and generous people. None could ever be thanked enough. Special thanks are due to: Terry Adams Dr. Gavin Bedford Dr. Danny Brown Gary Stephenson and Steve Swanson And also: Glynn & Kieran Aland Alex Antenor Eng Chua John Cann Rob Carroll Neil Charles John Davies Euan Edwards John Edwards Harald Ehmann Martin Fingland Ralph Foster John Grylls Cliff Guest Dr. Paul Horner Forest Monitor Varanus ‘kuranda’ Grant Husband Ken Kirkness Peter Krauss Daniel Mahony Dave Mercieca Andrew Melrose David Perry Robert Porter Robert Pulvirenti John Rigby Male - Atherton - Qld. Jason Sulda Paul Singline Dave Wilson and Steve K. Wilson Cliff dwellers Cliff dwellers Kimberley Rock Monitor Varanus glauerti Kununurra - Kimberley - WA Introduction: Three species of Australian goannas are supremely adapted to life on cliff faces and other rocky habitats and one is known to be tree dwelling as well. All three are extremely long tailed and long limbed. The bodies of all and first section of the tails of two species are dorsally flattened and their heads are very flat as well. These are perfect adaptations to a life in the tight crevices used for shelter. Kimberley Rock Monitor Genus Varanus Sub-genus: Odatria Type locality: Wotjalum - West Kimberley - WA Species: glauerti Mertens 1957 Max. size: 79cm Darwin Mitchell Plateau Wotjalum Kimberley Arnhem Land NT WA Kununurra Habitat: Timbered rocky terrain with large boulders and vertical rock faces with narrow crevices. Kimberley - WA Kimberley Rock Monitor Varanus glauerti - Male - 65 cm TL - Kununurra - Kimberley - WA Introduction: This beautiful goanna was originally thought to be just a sub-species of the Timor Monitor, Varanus timorensis, like some other Australian species, but all are now considered to be valid species in their own right. This was first recognized in 1980 by the late Glenn Storr, then curator for reptiles at the West Australian Museum in Perth. Its range covers most of the Kimberley region of WA and adjacent NT as far east as the Victoria River, were it is exclusively found amongst large boulders or cliff faces. A form found to live in trees in Arnhem Land may represent a different, as yet undescribed species . (Bedford - pers. com., Sweet 2004) Kimberley Rock Monitor Varanus (Odatria) glauerti Features: Slender long-necked, -tailed and -limbed goanna with a relatively delicate flat head adapted to life in tight crevices and tree hollows. Several colour forms known from different locations in its range from the Kimberley to the Victoria River area of the NT. The isolated tree-dwelling form occurring on the western escarpment of Arnhem Land is viewed as an undescribed species by some scientists. Tail strongly banded in all forms. Behaviour: This beautiful and elegant goanna has only been observed in the wild by very dedicated herpetologists due to its wary demeanour, but at the same time is also very inquisitive and will investigate disturbances in its habitat. Rock dwelling ones have been found to be good natured in captivity and therefore relatively easy to keep and breed. (Bedford & Guest, pers. com.) Adult male - Kununurra - WA Habitat in Keep River National Park on the WA / NT border - NT Diet: This very agile rock (& tree?) dwelling monitor is a very active hunter feeding on invertebrates and small lizards. Reproduction: Males grow to a larger size than females and possess larger spine clusters on either side of the tail near the vent. In captivity multiple clutches totalling 68 eggs have been recorded und most were laid during November to January, the wet season in their natural habitat. Hatchlings appeared after 90 -110 days and measured about 18 cm total length. (Retes & Bennett, 2001) Kimberley Rock Monitor Varanus (Odatria) glauerti Status: With much of its large range located in remote and difficult to access rugged terrain, this goanna should be secure. As it is not known to feed on frogs, it may even be save from the threat of invading poisonous cane toads which have already reached part of its known range. Female - 45 cm TL - Kununurra – E-Kimberley Comments: This monitor has become quite popular with reptile keepers in recent years and has been bred over several generations overseas. Other names: Scientific: Varanus timorensis glauerti Common: Glauert’s Monitor Meaning of specific name: glauerti = named after Ludwig Glauert , former director of the Western Australian Museum, Perth. Similar species: Juvenile Black-palmed rock monitors are also slender and long-tailed but differently coloured. (Compare images) Kimberley Rock Monitor Varanus (Odatria) glauerti Western Kimberleys - WA Kimberley Rock Monitor Varanus (Odatria) glauerti Habitat - Kimberley - WA Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Further reading Web-sites Wilson, S. K., & G. Swan, 2009 What Lizard is that? New Holland Publishers Although there are countless websites dealing with monitors on the internet, many are scientific - dealing with biology, ecology or the taxonomy of various species - and are mostly difficult to understand by the uninitiated. Other contributions deal with husbandry, or just list species, images and encounters. There are far too many to be listed here, and it would be unfair to recommend a few. Spiny-tailed Goanna Varanus acanthurus - Male - 50cm - Dajarra - NW-Qld. ggg32@bigpond.com Thank you for taking the time to view this condensed preview of ‘The Goannas of Australia ’ If you find it useful and wish to support its continuing expansion and updates, you can do so by purchasing the FULL SIZE pdf version for a fee of only $20.00. Just return to previous window and click BUY NOW button, then follow the links. Spotted Tree Goanna Varanus scalaris - Darwin - NT
