Mitchell's Water Monitor

Mitchell's Water Monitor
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertilia
Family:	Varanidae
Genus:	Varanus
Subgenus:	V. (Odatria)[1]
Species:	V. mitchelli
Binomial name
Varanus mitchelli Mertens, 1958[2][3]

Mitchell's water monitor (Varanus mitchelli) is a species of Monitor lizard, native to Australia.^[4] native to Australia. It was named after Francis J. Mitchell of the South Australian Museum.^[5]

Description

Varanus mitchelli reaches a length of up to 70 cm. It's generally dark in colour and has many small yellow spots or dark-centred ocelli.^[2]

Range

Mitchell's water monitor is found in the north part of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.^[2][3][6]

Habitat

This monitor lizard is found around swamps, lagoons, inland rivers and other bodies of water. It often is found on trees close to the water. It prefers to shelter in tree hollows and under bark.^[2][7]

Behavior

In the wild Varanus mitchelli will make for water if it is disturbed.^[2] In captivity, Mitchell's water monitor is reported to be very nervous and shy. It breeds regularly in captivity in Australia.^[7]

Diet

Mitchell's water monitor preys on smaller animals of both terrestrial and aquatic origin. Its prey includes: smaller lizards, small mammals, nestling birds, reptile eggs and terrestrial invertebrates (orthopterans, arachnids, beetles etc.) Aquatic prey include: fish, crabs and frogs.^[7]

References

1. ^ Kingsnake.com
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Komododragon.biz
3. ^ ^{a b} "GBIF.org". http://data.gbif.org/species/13494741. Retrieved 3 July 2010. 
4. ^ Wolfgang Böhme (2003), Checklist of the living lizards of the world (family Varanidae), Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, p. 32, ISBN 9789073239869 
5. ^ Eric R. Pianka, Dennis King, Ruth Allen King (2004). Varanoid lizards of the world. Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253343666. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0e3OuHRRoIQC&pg=PA416&dq=Varanus+mitchelli&hl=en&ei=lXUwTKq6L4uRjAfQ5MSYBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Varanus%20mitchelli&f=false. Retrieved 2010-07-04. 
6. ^ JCVi.org
7. ^ ^{a b c} "Mampam.com". http://www.mampam.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=38. Retrieved 3 July 2010. 

Further reading

• Zipcodezoo.com
• OZ Monitors Photos at Kingsnake.com
• Photos at Pbase.com
• Ávalos, J. de & Martínez Carrión, P. 1997. Warane Reptilia (Münster) 2 (5): 16-21
• Bennet, D.F. 2003. Australische Warane. Reptilia (Münster) 8 (5): 18-25
• Bennet, D.F. 2003. Australian Monitors. Reptilia (GB) (30): 12-19
• Bonetti (2002). 100 Sauri. Mondadori (Milano), 192 pp.
• Bustard, H. R. 1970. Australian Lizards. Sydney: Collins 162 pp.
• Cogger,H.G. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 6th ed. Ralph Curtis Publishing, Sanibel Island, 808 pp.
• De Lisle, H.F. 1996. Natural History of Monitor Lizards. Krieger, Malabar (Florida)
• Eidenmüller, B. 2007. Small monitors in the terrarium. Reptilia (GB) (50): 12-19
• Mertens, R. 1958. Bemerkungen über die Warane Australiens. Senckenberg. Biol. 39: 229-264
• Storr G M 1980. The monitor lizards (genus Varanus Merrem, 1820) of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 8(2) 1980: 237-293
• Swanson, S. 1976. Lizards of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Sydney 80 pp.