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Spotted Tree Monitor
Photo: C
& D Frith
Australian Tropical
Reptiles & Frogs
Spotted Tree
Monitor (Varanus timorensis)
Habitat:
- Found in northern Australian tropics.
- They are an arboreal (tree dwelling), species that
utilise the shelter of hollow tree trunks and limbs as resting places.
- In Australia the Spotted Tree Monitor lives in wet
tropical rainforest to dry areas of western Queensland and the Northern
Territory.
Diet:
- The lizard hunts on the ground for insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals but
retreats to the trees if alarmed
Characteristics:
- Skin is characterised by a pattern of light circles on a dark
background.
- Rarely exceeds 60-70 cm in overall length
Viewing Opportunities:
- They are easily seen at The Chamber's.
- The spotted tree monitor likes to bask in patches of sunlight but when
disturbed rushes off at high speed.
- You are normally made aware of their presence by the rustling leaf sound as they
run across the forest floor and up a nearby tree to escape your approach.
- When sighted they will conceal themselves from your view by moving to the reverse
side of the trunk. As you move around the tree they will spiral up the trunk trying to
keep out of your sight.
- As they are a very shy animal they will more often than
not be heard and not spotted.
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