Storr's monitor
Storr's monitor (Varanus storri) is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
| Storr's monitor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Varanus storri | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | Odatria |
| Species: | V. storri |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus storri Mertens, 1966 | |
Etymology
The specific name, storri, is in honor of Australian herpetologist Glen Milton Storr.[1]
Distribution
V. storri is found in the seasonal tropical regions of Australia, specifically in rocky environments.[2] V. storri storri are found in eastern Australia, from Charters Tower to the Queensland, whereas V. storri ocreatus are predominantly located in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Thus, both subspecies are found in the same climate and alike habitats.[3] They can be found in open woodland, grasslands, spinifex, and rocky areas.[4][5]
Description
The species is smaller and duller colored than the similar looking spiny-tail monitor, growing up to just over 40cm in total length.[4] V. s. ocreatus has a longer tail and limbs than V. s. storri; the former's tail is 1.6 times longer than its snout to vent length while the latter has a tail that is only 1.4 times longer. V. s. ocreatus also has enlarged scales on the bottom of the end of its hindlegs.[5] The species does not display sexual dimorphism, and even the cluster of spiny scales on either sides of the male's vent in many other Odatria species is present in both sexes of Storr's monitor.[5][4]
Behavior
The species is terrestrial, and is even less arboreal than the related spiny tail monitor[4]. Although previously reported to change color with increasing temperature[6], the subspecies of V. storri were found to neither change their color nor absorbtance of solar radiation between 15-35°C in later studies.[3] The species lives in colonies in the wild, and as many as 50 animals may live together in a 0.75 km2 area, although each individual inhabits its own U-shaped burrow under a large rock or spinifex. Individuals sometimes wave their tails at each other. They are most active between February and March, and between July and November, during mornings and late afternoons, retreating to their burrows during the hottest time of the day; unlike larger monitors, they remain active during cooler parts of the day with exception of the cold winter months.[5][4]
Reproduction
Sexual maturity is attained by the time they are 9 cm long in snout to vent length. V. storri with enlarged testes chiefly occur in November, the late dry and early wet season, but occur throughout the year[2], similarly, breeding takes place throughout the year as well. Up to 6 eggs are laid, which are incubated at 27-29C for 100-129 days. Sexual maturity can be attained 18 months later.[5][4]
Diet
V. storri preys on invertebrates especially orthopterans[2], but also ants, beetles and spiders. They also feed on lizards such as skinks and geckos. Their diet is seasonal, and large fat reserves are built up through most of the year in order to last them through the winter months when they become inactive.[4][5]
References
- Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Varanus storri, p. 256).
- James, C. D., J. B. Losos, and D. R. King. 1992. Reproductive Biology and Diets of Goannas (Reptilia: Varanidae) from Australia. Journal of Herpetology 26:128-136.
- Christian, K. A., G. S. Bedford, and S. T. Shannahan. 1996. Solar Absorptance of Some Australian Lizards and Its Relationship to Temperature. Australian Journal of Zoology 44:59-67.
- Bennett, Daniel (1 January 1995). A little book of monitor lizards. Viper Press. pp. 126-127.
- Pianka, Eric (2004). Varanoid Lizards of the World. Indiana University Press. pp. 472–476.
- Sprackland, R. G. 1980. Some notes on Storr's dwarf spiny-tailed monitor. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter 40:7-9.
Further reading
- Mertens R (1966). "Ein neuer Zwergwaran aus Australien ". Senckenbergiana biologica 47: 437-441. (Varanus storri, new species). (in German).