#varanus varius

[podartists]

The Monitory Lizard, Lacerta monitor [Pl. 21] | The Naturalist's Miscellany v.1 | Biodiversity Heritage Library | Flickr

[herps-and-noods]

Saw this adorable Lace Monitor at work today. Such a sweetheart! I’m absolutely in love! ❤️

[animalids]

Lace monitor (Varanus varius)

Photo by Steve & Alison1

[varanusindicus]

Do you have any experience and/or knowledge about caring for lace monitors?

I don't have personal experience, only a handful of people in the US do, given that there are very few in the country. They cost a pretty penny too.As far as husbandry is concerned, they're pretty similar to other monitors. A spacious enclosure with a wide temperature gradient, and plenty of enrichment. If anything, they're one of the more forgiving species since they come from such a wide range of natural habitats.The only very notable difference is that they require a heated lay box instead of a simple deep bed of soil like most other monitors. This is because in the wild, they seek out termite nests to break into and lay eggs in. The nests generate their own heat and stay at an ideal, constant temperature with plenty of humidity. This has to be replicated if the female is to avoid becoming egg-bound.

[herps-and-noods]

An updated picture of the Bells-Phase Lace Monitor I treated a while ago. Glad to see she’s doing well!

[azzaventura]

Varanus varius

[ainawgsd]

Varanus varius (Lace Monitor)

The lace monitor or lace goanna (Varanus varius) is a member of the monitor lizard family, Australian members of which are commonly known as goannas. Lace monitors are the second-largest monitor in Australia.  They can be over 6.8 feet with a head-and-body length of up to 2.5 feet. The tail is long and slender and about 1.5 times the length of the head and body. The maximum weight of lace monitor can be 44 lbs, but most adults are much smaller.

Lace monitors are found in two broad forms. The main form is dark grey to dull blueish-black with numerous, scattered, cream-colored spots. The snout is marked with prominent black and yellow bands extending under the chin and neck. The tail has narrow black and cream bands which are narrow and get wider towards the end of the tail. The other type, known as Bells form, is typically found in dryer parts of NSW and Queensland. It has broad, black and yellow bands across the body and tail. Close up, these bands are made up of various spotted patterns.

Their diets typically consist of insects, reptiles, small mammals, birds, and birds' eggs. They are also carrion eaters, feeding on already dead carcasses of other wildlife. Lace monitors will also forage in areas inhabited by people, raiding chicken coops for poultry and eggs, rummaging through unprotected domestic garbage bags, and rubbish bins in picnic and recreational areas.

In late 2005, University of Melbourne researchers discovered that all monitors may be somewhat venomous. Previously, bites inflicted by monitors were thought to be prone to infection because of bacteria in their mouths, but the researchers showed that the immediate effects may be caused by mild envenomation. Bites on the hand by Komodo dragons (V. komodoensis), perenties (V. giganteus), lace monitors (V. varius) and spotted tree monitors (V. scalaris) have been observed to cause swelling within minutes, localised disruption of blood clotting, and shooting pain up to the elbow, which can often last for several hours.

[morgancraiksphotography-blog]

Lace Monitor, Goanna (Varanus varius)