Mangrove goanna
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| Varanus indicus |
Mangrove Monitor which also goes by the trade name of Mangrove Goanna, Varanus indicus, are a member of the monitor lizard family. They have the typical build of monitors with long, narrow heads, long necks and large rounded bodies. Their powerful tails are twice as long as their bodies and very sturdy in build. Mangrove Monitors can reach lengths of 5 feet but commonly attain a length of 3 ½ feet to 4 feet. Lifespans in the wild are reported to vary between 10 to 12 years.
These quadrupeds have powerful legs, able to propel their heavy bodies forward at surprising speeds. Each foot is armed with five sharply clawed toes. One characteristic of this monitor is that it possesses the ability to greatly increase the size of the mouth by spreading the hyoid apparatus and dropping the lower jaw in order to eat large prey. A process mildly similar in appearance to snakes, though the jaw of Mangrove Monitors remains rigid.
Distribution is throughout Australia and New Guinea. Across the Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands and Marianas Islands.
Luxmoore et al (1988) give the following locations:
- Micronesia (Kosrae, Mortlock, Woleai, Ifalak, Yap, Ulithi and several islands in the Truk Atoll)
- Guam
- Indonesia (eastern sector: Irian Jaya and adjacent islands, north to the Talaud Group and west to Halmahera and the Moluccas (Ambon, Buru, Ceram etc.)
- Timor
- Marshall Islands
- Palau (Ngeaur, Oreor, Babeldaob (Babelthaup) Ncheangel (Kayangel)
- Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal, Isabel, Malaita and San Christobal).
Additional location data can be found in: Peters & Doria (1878), Burt & Burt (1932), Hediger (1934), Fisher (1948), Mertens (1958), Heatwole (1975), McCoy (1980) and Brandenberg (1983).
[edit] Pets and Captive Care
Mangrove monitors can make great pets for people who have experience with reptiles. They are very active and alert animals that generally do not bite. Although their claws are very sharp so you should wear gloves when handling them as with many reptiles. They are also very good at escaping as they can wedge themselves through small cracks and climb almost anything that has a textured surface. As far as size is concerned they do get from 3-4 1/2 ft long which is a medium sized monitor.
It is still being disputed how long a Mangrove Monitor should be able to live in captivity but the general consensus lies between 15 to 20 years.
Another dispute is the usage of UVA/UVB full spectrum lighting for monitors. Many breeders of high standards use either method but many compromise and agree that the addition of UVA/UVB bulbs could only have positive effects. On a simply aesthetic level they are reported to bring out better colors in monitors.
[edit] References
- 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
