# Varanus Beccarii

The Varanus Beccarii is a fascinating monitor lizard that loves to bask in the sun. With its vibrant scales and curious nature, it's always exploring its surroundings!

- **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Tropical rainforests and coastal areas in New Guinea.
- **Also known as:** Beccari Monitor Lizard, Beccari's Monitor, New Guinea Monitor

![Varanus Beccarii](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black_tree_monitor%252C_St._Louis_Zoo.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Robert Lawton at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_tree_monitor%252C_St._Louis_Zoo.jpg)

## Appearance

The Varanus Beccarii has a slender, all-black body, often with a velvety sheen. Its long, prehensile tail is nearly twice its body length, and it features sharp, curved claws adapted for gripping branches. Some individuals may exhibit faint blue or gray flecking.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Squamata
- **Order:** Lacertilia
- **Family:** Varanidae
- **Genus:** Varanus

## Interesting facts

- Baby Beccarii monitors hatch from leathery eggs buried in soil.
- Their pitch-black scales are surprisingly bumpy, not smooth.
- These amazing lizards spend almost their entire lives up in trees!
- They can hang upside down using just their powerful tail!

## Special abilities

- **Tail Grip:** Varanus Beccarii has a prehensile tail that helps them anchor securely to branches and even hang upside down while climbing.
- **Tree Climber:** Varanus Beccarii can climb with incredible agility because of its sharp, curved claws and powerful grip, navigating dense canopies.
- **Air Taster:** Varanus Beccarii can 'taste' the air with its long, forked tongue and special organ, helping them locate hidden prey.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 90-120 cm
- **Weight:** 0.5-1 kg
- **Lifespan:** 10-15 years
- **Clutch Size:** 3-7
- **Incubation:** 100-120 days

## Diet & Feeding

A quick and clever hunter, this monitor lizard mainly eats insects and small creatures found in the trees.

- **Age differences:** Juveniles eat more insects; adults may hunt small birds.
- **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Small Lizards, Bird Eggs, Small Mammals
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** [American Cockroach](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-cockroach) (*Periplaneta americana*) — A common insect meal.
- **Hunts:** [Tokay Gecko](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tokay-gecko) (*Gekko gecko*) — Preys on smaller arboreal reptiles.
- **Eaten by:** Amethystine Python (*Morelia amethistina*) — Larger snakes can prey on them.
- **Eaten by:** New Guinea Harpy Eagle (*Harpyopsis novaeguineae*) — Hunted by large birds of prey.

## Traits

- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Varanus Beccarii?

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 Varanus Beccarii?

90-120 cm

### How much does Varanus Beccarii weigh?

0.5-1 kg

### How long does Varanus Beccarii live?

10-15 years

### What does Varanus Beccarii eat?

A quick and clever hunter, this monitor lizard mainly eats insects and small creatures found in the trees.

### Where is Varanus Beccarii usually found?

Tropical rainforests and coastal areas in New Guinea.

### How does Varanus Beccarii hunt?

Pursuit

### How many eggs does Varanus Beccarii lay?

3-7

## 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*)

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Source: [Varanus Beccarii: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/varanus-beccarii)