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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
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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
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‘The Goannas of Australia ’
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Spotted Tree Goanna Varanus scalaris - Darwin - NT