Euprepiosaurus |
Varanus
doreanus (MEYER 1874) Blue-Tailed Monitor |
 Varanus
doreanus belongs to the subgenera Euprepiosaurus. V. indicus
kalabeck was used as the scientific name for animals of this species.
However a revision of the V. indicus-complex by BÖHME et al. (1994) shows, that this is a species, which was described earlier
as V. doreanus.The coloration of the this species is greyish-blue. The neck, the back and the upper side of the limbs are covered with round, black, bright centered ocelli. This pattern is also present on the back, where irregular cross rows are visible. The throat shows a whitish color, which is strongly marbled. The color of the tongue till yellowish. The scales on the neck are smooth and oval. The nostril is much closer to the tip of the snout than to the eye. 173 scale rows are around midbody. The tail is pressed together at the side, a double keel is clearly visible. The tail scales are slightly keeled. The dominanat coloration of tail is light blue, which is interrupted by black cross bands. In adults this coloration fades away. The tail length is approximately 1.6 times as long as the SVL. The tolal length can reach up to 135 cm. |
|
Distribution,
habitat and behavior |
The distribution of V. doreanus extends on New Guinea and New Britannia and on the tip of Cape York Peninsula BÖHME et al. (1994). The animals inhabit the same niche as V. indicus. Secondary details on the distribution are made by SPRACKLAND (1995). |
Keeping
and breeding |
No
data are published on the captive husbandry of this monitor species yet. A large enclosure, which includes a water basin, is recommended for keeping this monitor species. The water basin should be so big, that it is possible for the animals to swim and dive. The keeping is similar to the keeping of V. indicus. According to the size of the monitors we feed them large insects, mice, fish, and crabs. |
 back |
