I have written previously about our Australian spotted pythons and we have now added a Storr's monitor to the menagerie. The Monitor lizards are a fascinating group of lizards, the genus includes the largest lizard on earth - the Komodo dragon. They vary in size tremendously with the smallest varanid weighing no more than 20g (Varanus brevicauda) and the largest 200 kilos. They are considered by many scientists to be the closest living lizards to snakes and birds.
As a child i owned a variety of monitors but back then only wild caught animals were available and they did not last long on account of the heavy parasite load and transit stress. These days it is possible to acquire a number of fascinating species - gone are the days when Nile monitors, Bosc monitors and Water monitors were all stores had to offer. Now it is possible to own a number of interesting flavours from countries such as New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia - the latter traditionally does not export any of their native wildlife.
Australia has two thirds of the worlds monitor species and, for some reason, a welter of dwarf species. Evolution saw fit to drastically reduce the size of many varanids in Oz, in order to fit different ecosystems, and the sub genus Odatria has sprung into existence (covering the dwarf species for taxonomic purposes).
Australia has two thirds of the worlds monitor species and, for some reason, a welter of dwarf species. Evolution saw fit to drastically reduce the size of many varanids in Oz, in order to fit different ecosystems, and the sub genus Odatria has sprung into existence (covering the dwarf species for taxonomic purposes).
I was in the local reptile store browsing through the different species and was surprised to see a beautiful Storr's monitor on display. Surprised because they are very uncommon and also because they are not normally visually impressive - most Storr's monitors are largely brown with unexciting patterns. This little fellow was covered in cream/yellow speckles from head to foot, with the colours even reaching a mustard/gold on the lower back and legs. A thick, spiny tail is typical of the species.
He had lost a few toes, which is no surprise considering how combative this diminutive monitor can be - they are well known for intraspecific aggression and colonies can be difficult to establish.
The boys always love visiting the reptile room in this local store and we all liked him very much. Most people did not realise the scarcity of this species and seeing as they are much smaller than most other monitors, he largely slipped off the radar. Originally part of a pair but something happened to the female and he arrived on his own.
Rex, as the boys christened him, now takes pride of place in their room. They love helping to feed him baby mice and locusts. Leo is too young to hold him and even a small monitor species can inflict a nasty bite, so Todd is the only one granted that privilege. Leo sill enjoys stroking him and tickling his chin though.
Australian reptiles are my favourite and it is wonderful to have a beautiful pair of Spotted Pythons and a Storr's Monitor. The aim now is to locate a female, who can match Rex's beauty (though males are normally brighter) and hopefully produce high class Varanus storri hatchlings.
