Archive for the ‘Australian Lizards’ Category
Posted on July 27, 2010 - by admin
The Wonderful World of Water Dragons
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Water Dragons
by Michael Spears
In the fall of 1995, I was browsing at a local pet store that had a rather large selection of reptiles (for small town in Mississippi, that is). There were iguanas, bearded dragons, various common geckos, savannah monitors and large constrictors, but one lizard seemed to beg for my attention. It literally came to the front of the enclosure as if to say, “Please buy me.” It was an interesting lizard, with a roosterlike crest, half inch spines running from the top of the head to almost the end of the stub tail, big eyes and puffy jowls. This was the first time I’d ever seen the magnificent Asian water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus). (more…)
Posted on July 24, 2010 - by admin
Leopards and Beardies
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Long considered your best bet if you’re a beginner, leopards and beardies remain favorite pets.
By Joe Hiduke and Bill Brant
Younger readers of reptiles may be surprised to know that few captive-bred lizards have been available in the recent past. While there are far more species and specimens available now than there ever have been, those species, that have been with us the longest are still among the best pet reptiles. (more…)
Posted on July 3, 2010 - by admin
Care Sheet: Water Dragons
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Introduction
This care sheet is for beginners and covers the basic maintenance of the Eastern Water Dragons (Physignathus leseurii).
You should join your local herpetological society, where you can meet others and obtain more detailed information on keeping these lizards. Water dragons are very hardy animals and one of the best dragons for beginners to keep as long as a few important guidelines are followed. These cover cage size, lighting and diet. (more…)
Posted on July 2, 2010 - by admin
Eastern Bearded Dragons (Pogona Barbata)
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Eastern Bearded Dragons Care Sheet prepared by Sue Davis
The most important thing to remember if keeping eastern bearded dragons outdoors, is to provide an escape-proof enclosure with plenty of high perches and basking spots, offer plenty of food and let lizards do the rest.
Eastern Bearded Dragons belong to the Agamidae family and average snout to vent length in adults is 25 centimeters. They have a well-developed “beard” and a strongly depressed body. The inside of their mouth is usually bright yellow. There are many colour variations from grey, yellowish-brown, brown, to reddish-brown etc. Mature males develop a dark grey to black beard and a pale green to blue tinge on the forehead. (more…)
Posted on July 1, 2010 - by admin
Eastern Blue Tongue (Tiliqua Scincoides)
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Eastern Blue Tongue Care sheet prepared by Sue Davis
Blue tongue lizards are native to Australia and New Guinea and will live happily in your backyard and are helpful by eating snails and other pests in the garden. They will eat canned cat food (not fish varieties), soft fruits, tomatoes, apples, mushrooms, chopped green vegetables, mince meat and thawed frozen pinkie mice. They will also lap water from a shallow dish and like a hollow log or similar hide box to hide in. (more…)
Posted on June 30, 2010 - by admin
Spencer’s Monitor
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Varanus spenceri or Spencers Monitor
When well fed, spencers monitor can become quite bulky. But when times are lean, Spencers Monitors can tolerate quite severe emaciation. Adults of this species eat lizards, snakes, large insects, and small mammals. Juveniles will eat smaller insects, such as grasshoppers, and small reptiles like geckoes and skinks. Living in the drought-prone Black Soil Plains of arid Australia, these animals have had to become accustomed to a Feast-or-Famine lifestyle – gorging when food is plentiful during a rainy spell, then surviving on their stored fat supplies when the going gets tough. (more…)
Posted on June 29, 2010 - by admin
Spotted Tree Monitor
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Varanus scalaris or Spotted Tree Monitor
- This specie is found in northern Australian tropics.
Posted on June 28, 2010 - by admin
Mertens’ Water Monitor
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Varanus mertensi or Mertens Water Monitor
Mertens Water Monitor is an aquatic lizard. The word goanna is often used for these and other Australian species of lizard with a forked tongue. The word Goanna originates from South America. These monitors love to bask on rocks,
logs, and branches that are overhanging the water. If the animal becomes alarmed, the water is a close and safe haven for the animal to retreat to. Their tail is flat like a paddle, which is used for swimming, and sometimes herding fish into areas that make catching easy. Mertens Water Monitor can remain submerged for up to 30 minutes. (more…)
Posted on June 27, 2010 - by admin
Mangrove Monitor
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Varanus indicus or Mangrove Monitor
Did you know…
- The mangrove monitor is one of Australia’s most beautiful goanna species.
- Mangrove monitor live along the coast of northern Australia.
- Mangrove monitor lizards are also found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the western Pacific islands.
- Mangrove monitor eat fish, crabs, insects, birds, mammals and other reptiles. They will also dig up and eat turtle eggs.
- Female mangrove monitor lizards will lay their eggs in a burrow in soil, or in the rotting centre of a fallen tree. (more…)
Posted on June 26, 2010 - by admin
Perentie Monitor
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Varanus giganteus or Perentie Monitor
The Perentie Monitor is Australia’s largest, and indeed our largest lizard. Its scientific name, ‘Varanus giganteus’ literally means ‘giant monitor’. As they get to a length of 2.5 metres and a weight of 15 kilograms, it’s easy to see why this name is well deserved. At this size, Perentie monitor lizards are able to prey on animals such as rabbits, and even small kangaroos. Their powerful claws make them a formidable predator. Their strong, whip-like tail can also be used as a weapon. As an aggressive display, a Perentie monitor will distend its neck pouch and make a loud hissing noise. (more…)
