Lace Monitor
The lace monitor (Varanus varius) is a large, tree-climbing goanna of eastern Australia, second only to the perentie among Australian lizards. Its banded pattern looks like lace.
The lace monitor (Varanus varius) is a large, tree-climbing goanna of eastern Australia, second only to the perentie among Australian lizards. Its banded pattern looks like lace.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Lace Monitor in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Reptilia lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
Termite Mound Nurseries
Females dig into active tree termite nests and lay their eggs inside. The termites repair the nest and seal in the eggs, which are kept warm and humid. About eight months later, the female returns to dig out her hatching young.
Climbers and Scavengers
Lace monitors climb trees to raid nests for eggs and chicks, and also feed on carrion, reptiles and small mammals. They often wander through campsites.
Venom
Like other monitors, they have venom glands in the lower jaw, and the bite can bleed profusely. See Komodo Dragon.
Lace Monitor at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Varanus varius |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Varanidae |
| Field Guide group | Reptilia (Reptiles) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Dark blue-black Australian tree climber with cream bands; flicks a long forked tongue and raids bird nests. |
| IUCN Red List status | Least Concern (LC), assessed 2018 |
| Family | Varanidae |
| Nesting site | Termite mounds |
See Also
- Komodo Dragon — a venomous monitor
- Asian Water Monitor — another large monitor