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Lace Monitor

Varanus varius

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Field Notes

Description:

The lace monitor grows to between 1.5 and 2 metres in length, it is a dark steel grey above with pale yellow or cream bands or rows of spots. The underside is cream. The jaws and snout are usually strongly barred with yellow and dark grey. A second colour form known as Bell's phase occurs in some areas of Queensland which has strong dark grey and yellow bands all along the body. The toes are equipped with long, strong claws, which are used for climbing. The tongue is long and forked like a snake . Monitors are the only lizards that have a forked tongue.

Habitat:

The lace monitor lives in eastern Australian forests and coastal tablelands. Much of its time is spent up fairly large trees, although they usually come down to the ground to forage for food. When disturbed it sprints to the nearest tree and climbs to safety with great speed and agility.

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Photographed
PublishedJanuary 29, 2012

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