| Short-tailed pygmy monitor | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | Odatria |
| Species: | V. brevicauda |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus brevicauda Boulenger, 1898 | |
The short-tailed pygmy monitor (Varanus brevicauda)[1] is the second smallest living monitor lizard in the world with a maximum length of 25 cm.[2] They live in desert regions of Australia.
Distribution
The short-tailed monitor ranges throughout central Australia from the coast of Western Australia through the interior of Northern Territory and northwestern South Australia to western Queensland.[3] This monitor burrows in compacted sandy loam and gravel, in areas dominated by spinifex (Triodia spp.). This terrestrial species is secretive[4] and rarely seen active above ground; it is mainly encountered by digging up its burrow.[3]
Diet
Short-tailed pygmy monitors are highly active foragers in the wild.[5] They eat insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, roaches, caterpillars, as well as reptile eggs, isopods, spiders, scorpions, small lizards and occasionally frogs and even small snakes.[6][3] These small monitors are bold and fierce predators, despite their size.[5]
Reproduction
Mating occurs for this monitor lizard in September and October after hibernation, and by February, the eggs hatch. The clutch size usually is two or three, but in some coastal areas, up to five eggs are produced. "In dry years when food is scarce no reproduction occurs at all."[4]
Conservation
The main threat to short-tailed pygmy monitors is predation by larger animals.
References
- ^ a b Shea, G., Ellis, R., Wilson, S. & Oliver, P. (2018). "Varanus brevicauda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
- ^ Cogger, Harold; Zweifel, Richard (1992). Reptiles & Amphibians. Sydney: Weldon Owen. ISBN 0-8317-2786-1.
- ^ a b c Pianka, Eric R.; Vitt, Laurie J. (2003). Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity (Organisms and Environments, 5). 5 (1 ed.). California: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-23401-7.
- ^ a b Varanus brevicauda mampam.com
- ^ a b Short Tailed Pygmy Monitor - Varanus brevicauda pilbarapythons.com
- ^ Losos, Jonathan B.; Greene, Harry W. (1988-12-01). "Ecological and evolutionary implications of diet in monitor lizards". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 35 (4): 379–407. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.1988.tb00477.x. ISSN 0024-4066.
- Cogger, H. (1967). Australian Reptiles in Colour. Sydney: A. H. & A. W. Reed, ISBN 0-589-07012-6
- King, Dennis & Green, Brian. 1999. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X