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Description

Lack Of Data Disclaimer:

For the time being most of the research done for the animals I have taken photos of and later identified has been rather surface level. In most cases I have been able to find plenty of data on the animals I have researched however, in this case despite the multitude of links I have been unable to locate sufficient data to write a detailed bio like i normally would like. In future renditions I will see if i can find some better sources with more comprehensive information on this species.

Species Name: Rusty Monitor

Species Latin Name: Varanus semiremex

Native To: Queensland, Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Ballarat Wildlife Park

Size (length): 15 – 75cm (5.9 – 29.5 inches)

Weight: 150 – 294 grams (5.3 – 10.4 ounces)

Diet: Carnivore

Lifestyle: Oviparous, arboreal

Reproductive Season: Between February and April

Eggs Per Clutch: Up to 14 eggs

Description:

Not much data is available on these animals, what data was available did not include an in depth summary of their description – as such the below description is taken from photographs I have taken and may not accurately describe this animal or any variations this species may or may not have.

Rusty Monitors are small goanna's/monitors that reach a size of approximately 60cm (2 feet) in size. They have long arms with sharp claws which seem to assist them with climbing trees where they may spend a lot of their time. The colouration of their scales appear a light gray base along their back and a more creamy colour base on their underside. Dark gray and black scales are spotted along their bodies featuring more prominently along their back. They have medium sized snouts for their body size and they have medium sized eyes that come in a lightish brown colouration.

Diet:

Although not much is known about these animals it is suggested that the favourite food of this species are crab. These monitors will also prey on other animals such as small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, frogs, smaller lizards, and insects. It is reported that this species have a salt gland that enable the populations of this lizard living in saltwater areas to get all their freshwater requirements from eating water based prey.

Behaviour:

The Rusty Monitor is a poorly understood species of monitor, there have been very few sightings of this species out in the wild and it appears that their numbers are entirely restricted to the north eastern portions of the state of Queensland, Australia. They tend to live in tree hollows as well as branches of trees that overhang bodies of water, their habitats tend to be located in habitats such as mangrove swamps, along the coast, and along freshwater streams.

Males will compete with one another in ritual combat likely to compete for mating rights, this ritual involves them locking together with their limbs as they attempt to flick one another over.

Not much data is available on this species, due to a lack of data it is unclear whether or not this species is at risk for extinction or not. That said this species is currently listed as a least concern species so it is likely that their rarity is mostly based on their small range of habitat more so than anything else.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusty_mo…

Reptile Database: reptile-database.reptarium.cz/…

Biocyclopedia: biocyclopedia.com/index/monito…

Description

Lack Of Data Disclaimer:

For the time being most of the research done for the animals I have taken photos of and later identified has been rather surface level. In most cases I have been able to find plenty of data on the animals I have researched however, in this case despite the multitude of links I have been unable to locate sufficient data to write a detailed bio like i normally would like. In future renditions I will see if i can find some better sources with more comprehensive information on this species.

Species Name: Rusty Monitor

Species Latin Name: Varanus semiremex

Native To: Queensland, Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Ballarat Wildlife Park

Size (length): 15 – 75cm (5.9 – 29.5 inches)

Weight: 150 – 294 grams (5.3 – 10.4 ounces)

Diet: Carnivore

Lifestyle: Oviparous, arboreal

Reproductive Season: Between February and April

Eggs Per Clutch: Up to 14 eggs

Description:

Not much data is available on these animals, what data was available did not include an in depth summary of their description – as such the below description is taken from photographs I have taken and may not accurately describe this animal or any variations this species may or may not have.

Rusty Monitors are small goanna's/monitors that reach a size of approximately 60cm (2 feet) in size. They have long arms with sharp claws which seem to assist them with climbing trees where they may spend a lot of their time. The colouration of their scales appear a light gray base along their back and a more creamy colour base on their underside. Dark gray and black scales are spotted along their bodies featuring more prominently along their back. They have medium sized snouts for their body size and they have medium sized eyes that come in a lightish brown colouration.

Diet:

Although not much is known about these animals it is suggested that the favourite food of this species are crab. These monitors will also prey on other animals such as small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, frogs, smaller lizards, and insects. It is reported that this species have a salt gland that enable the populations of this lizard living in saltwater areas to get all their freshwater requirements from eating water based prey.

Behaviour:

The Rusty Monitor is a poorly understood species of monitor, there have been very few sightings of this species out in the wild and it appears that their numbers are entirely restricted to the north eastern portions of the state of Queensland, Australia. They tend to live in tree hollows as well as branches of trees that overhang bodies of water, their habitats tend to be located in habitats such as mangrove swamps, along the coast, and along freshwater streams.

Males will compete with one another in ritual combat likely to compete for mating rights, this ritual involves them locking together with their limbs as they attempt to flick one another over.

Not much data is available on this species, due to a lack of data it is unclear whether or not this species is at risk for extinction or not. That said this species is currently listed as a least concern species so it is likely that their rarity is mostly based on their small range of habitat more so than anything else.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusty_mo…

Reptile Database: reptile-database.reptarium.cz/…

Biocyclopedia: biocyclopedia.com/index/monito…