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The lace monitor (Varanus varius), also known as the tree goanna, is a member of the monitor lizard family native to eastern Australia. A large lizard, it can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in total length and 14 kilograms (31 lb) in weight.
The lace monitor is the second-largest of all goannas, reaching lengths up to 2 m (6.6 ft). Other more common tree goannas, such as the Timor tree monitor ( V. timorensis ) and mournful tree monitor ( V. tristis ,) do not grow to quite such lengths, typically a maximum of 61 cm, nose-to-tail.
Yellow-spotted monitor (left), lace monitor (right) This ground dwelling monitor species, somewhat resembles the widespread sand goanna (Varanus gouldii).Large, dark spots appear in rows along its back, becoming especially distinct at the center of the back where they are interspersed with smaller and paler spots.
Monitor lizards are lizards in the genus Varanus, the only extant genus in the family Varanidae. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and one species is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. [1] About 80 species are recognized. Monitor lizards have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well
They hunt live prey, but also scavenge carrion. Reptilian prey includes mostly lizards (such as skinks and agamids ) and more seldom snakes, but this species also displays a notable example of intraguild predation , as it eats an unusually large number of other monitor lizard species such as ridge-tailed monitors , black-headed monitors , Gould ...
In some places, however, the ranges of Gould's monitor, V. g. flavirufus and the Argus monitor overlap. The similarities between the species and their close proximity frequently cause confusion. The sand monitor is a relentless forager. It is diurnal, meaning most of its activities take place during the day. Anything smaller than itself will be ...
Spencer's goanna has unusual defensive behaviour, where it feigns death when threatened; the body is flattened against the ground, one hind limb is extended while all other limbs held close to the body, and the tail is contorted into a wavy shape. The head is kept up to observe the threat, feigning death until the threat has left the area.
The Dampier Peninsula monitor or Dampier Peninsula goanna (Varanus sparnus), described in 2014, is the smallest known species of monitor lizard, growing up to 16.3 grams with a length of almost 23 cm and a SVL (snout to vent length) of 116 mm.