# Emerald Tree Monitor (*Varanus prasinus*) The Emerald Tree Monitor is a bright green lizard that loves to climb trees. It has a long tail and sharp claws to help it hold on while it explores its forest home. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Emerald Tree Monitor](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Varanus_prasinus.jpg&width=800) Photo: TimVickers, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Varanus_prasinus.jpg) ## Appearance The Emerald Tree Monitor is a slender lizard with striking vibrant green scales, often highlighted by sparse black banding or spots. It has a long, prehensile tail and sharp claws, perfectly adapted for life high in the trees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Varanidae - **Genus:** Varanus ## Interesting facts - Their super long tail can be twice the length of their body! - These lizards can "lock" their grip onto branches, even while sleeping. - They coil their body around branches like a snake when they sleep! - They use their rough belly scales for extra friction while climbing trees. ## Special abilities - **Super Claw Grip:** Emerald Tree Monitor can cling tightly with powerful, hooked claws because of their sharp, specialized structure. - **Keen-Eyed Hunter:** Emerald Tree Monitor can spot tiny prey from afar because of their excellent vision, helping them hunt insects. - **Nest-Egg Nurturer:** Emerald Tree Monitor can lay eggs inside active termite nests because the insects provide warmth for incubation. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-100 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 150-170 days ## Diet & Feeding This agile tree climber loves to snack on insects, small reptiles, and even baby birds! - **Primary Foods:** crickets, grasshoppers, stick insects, geckos, small birds, lizard eggs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Two-spotted field cricket (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — A common insect prey. - **Hunts:** Mourning Gecko (*Lepidodactylus lugubris*) — A small lizard prey. - **Eaten by:** [Green Tree Python](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-tree-python) (*Morelia viridis*) — A predator in its habitat. - **Eaten by:** Grey Goshawk (*Accipiter novaehollandiae*) — A raptor predator. ## Traits - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and do not try to touch wild lizards. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Emerald Tree Monitor? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Emerald Tree Monitor? 60-100 cm ### How much does Emerald Tree Monitor weigh? 0.15-0.3 kg ### How long does Emerald Tree Monitor live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Emerald Tree Monitor move? 5 km/h ### What does Emerald Tree Monitor eat? This agile tree climber loves to snack on insects, small reptiles, and even baby birds! ### Where is Emerald Tree Monitor usually found? Forests ### How does Emerald Tree Monitor hunt? Ambush ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Emerald Tree Monitor: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emerald-tree-monitor)