Rosenberg's monitor | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Sauropsida |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Lacertilia |
Family: | Varanidae |
Genus: | Varanus |
Subgenus: | V. (Varanus) |
Species: | V. rosenbergi |
Binomial name | |
Varanus rosenbergi Mertens, 1957 |
Rosenberg's monitor, the heath monitor, or the southern heath monitor,Varanus rosenbergi, is a species of monitor lizard endemic to Australia, where it can be found in southern regions within the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.
The specific name, rosenbergi, is in honor of German naturalist Hermann von Rosenberg.
This monitor can reach a length of 1.5 m. It is dark gray with yellow and white spotting and black bands on its body and all the way down the tail. The juvenile is tinged with orange.
Rosenberg's monitors mate over a 12-day period in January. In February and March, the female digs into a termite mound, creating a circular nest chamber. It lays up to 14 eggs. In September and October, the hatchlings emerge from the mound, generally with digging assistance from the adult.
Its diet includes birds, reptiles, mammals, eggs, and carrion.