Ocellate Ridge-tailed/Spiny-tailed Monitor Varanus acanthurus acanthurus

There are two or three subspecies Varanus acanthurus acanthurus 

These monitors live in the northern half of Western Australia and NT in hummock grasslands, scrublands and rocky outcrops.

They live in burrows, logs, crevices and termite mounds.

This monitor is approx 23.5 cm long in the body with a 63cm long tail.

These photographs and video were taken at the Armadale Reptile Centre.  Here they have observed it being aggressive biting other males.  This monitor also wants to mate constantly and will eat the eggs it has laid if they are not removed.

The female lays 4-8 eggs in a sandy chamber.

Check out our video of this energetic monitor

 

It has a spiny tail that helps to keep it gripped in between rocks when a predator has grabbed it. 

Varanus acanthurus insularicus lives off Islands in the NT.

 

What does it eat?

Grasshoppers, beetles and cockroaches.  Like all animals that eat insects they are seasonal food with abundance after heavy rains.

Finding large grasshoppers such as this one found in the Marble Bar area would make a good meal.

Text;
CD Rom "Australian Reptiles and Frogs" by Herald Ehnann and Micheal Tyler.

 

 

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