Mertens' Water Monitor

Varanus mertensi

Mertens' Water Monitor is a big lizard that loves to swim! It has a long tail and can be found near water. These lizards are great at catching fish and other tasty treats in the water.

Hábitat: Wetlands

Aspecto

The Mertens' Water Monitor has a dark grey to blackish-brown body with numerous yellow or cream spots that often form ocelli. Its underside is pale yellow. It features a distinctive flattened snout with nostrils positioned on top, aiding its aquatic lifestyle.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseSquamataOrdenLacertiliaFamiliaVaranidaeGéneroVaranus

Mertens' Water Monitor

Categoría

Reptiles

Rareza

Common

Peligro

2/5 · Bajo

Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Baby monitors have much brighter patterns than adults, helping them blend into their surroundings!

These lizards can walk along the bottom of rivers and lakes, exploring silently!

They spend most of their entire lives splashing, hunting, and relaxing in freshwater!

They use their forked tongue to 'smell' chemicals in water, finding hidden snacks!

Habilidades especiales

Mertens' Water Monitor has clear vision both in air and water, allowing them to spot prey above and below the surface.

Mertens' Water Monitor can powerfully propel itself with a strong, laterally flattened tail that helps them chase fish.

Mertens' Water Monitor can breathe with just its nostrils above water because they are placed high on its flattened snout.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 80-130 cm
Peso: 2-5 kg
Esperanza de vida: 10-15 años
Top Speed: 15 km/h
Velocidad de nado: 15 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 6-18
Incubación: 190-210 días
Profundidad máxima: 10 m

Dieta y alimentación

A speedy swimmer that eats fish, frogs, and other small aquatic creatures in northern Australia's waterways.

Diferencias por edad: Juveniles mostly eat insects and very small aquatic prey, while adults consume larger fish and frogs.

Alimentos principales

Fish
Frogs
Crayfish
Water insects
Small reptiles

Método de búsqueda

Pursuit

Conexiones ecológicas

eats

Green Tree Frog

Litoria caerulea

A common frog species preyed upon.

eats

Eastern Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia splendida

A widespread fish often hunted.

eaten by

Saltwater Crocodile

Crocodylus porosus

Larger crocodiles can prey on monitors.

Rasgos

Pies palmeados

Se caracteriza por tener los dedos conectados por una membrana, lo que generalmente ayuda a nadar.

Solitario

Los animales solitarios viven solos durante la mayor parte de su vida y solo interactúan con otros para aparearse o cuidar de sus crías.

Piscívoro

Los organismos piscívoros son animales que subsisten principalmente de una dieta a base de peces.

Depredador de emboscada

Un depredador de emboscada caza esperando pacientemente y ocultándose, para luego lanzar un ataque repentino cuando una presa desprevenida se pone a su alcance.

Humedal

Este rasgo de hábitat identifica especies que se encuentran en humedales, que son áreas de tierra saturadas de agua, ya sea permanente o estacionalmente, e incluyen marismas, pantanos y ciénagas.