This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2020) |
Spencer's goanna | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Varanidae |
Genus: | Varanus |
Subgenus: | Varanus |
Species: | V. spenceri
|
Binomial name | |
Varanus spenceri |
Spencer's goanna (Varanus spenceri), also known commonly as Spencer's monitor, is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The specific name, spenceri, is in honor of English-Australian biologist Walter Baldwin Spencer. [2]
Varanus spenceri is found in eastern Northern Territory and northwestern Queensland, Australia. [3]
It is native to the Barkly Tableland.[ citation needed]
Varanus spenceri can grow to a total length (including tail) of up to 120 cm (47 in). Spencer's monitor is generally heavier than a similarly sized monitor of another species due to its "stockier" build. It has sharp claws which it uses for digging burrows.[ citation needed]
Varanus spenceri eats anything it can find, including highly venomous snakes, small mammals, small lizards, eggs, and carrion (dead animals), and is able to digest anything it eats.[ citation needed]
When threatened, V. spenceri hisses loudly, distends its throat and whips its aggressor with its muscular tail.[ citation needed]
The preferred natural habitat of V. spenceri is grassland. [1]
Living in black soil plains with no trees, Spencer's goanna is the only Australian monitor that does not readily climb, although juvenile animals will climb given the opportunity.[ citation needed]
Clutch size of Spencer's monitor generally ranges between 11 and 30 eggs. [4]
Varanus ingrami Boulenger, 1906, is an invalid name (a junior synonym) for this species. [3]
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2020) |
Spencer's goanna | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Varanidae |
Genus: | Varanus |
Subgenus: | Varanus |
Species: | V. spenceri
|
Binomial name | |
Varanus spenceri |
Spencer's goanna (Varanus spenceri), also known commonly as Spencer's monitor, is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The specific name, spenceri, is in honor of English-Australian biologist Walter Baldwin Spencer. [2]
Varanus spenceri is found in eastern Northern Territory and northwestern Queensland, Australia. [3]
It is native to the Barkly Tableland.[ citation needed]
Varanus spenceri can grow to a total length (including tail) of up to 120 cm (47 in). Spencer's monitor is generally heavier than a similarly sized monitor of another species due to its "stockier" build. It has sharp claws which it uses for digging burrows.[ citation needed]
Varanus spenceri eats anything it can find, including highly venomous snakes, small mammals, small lizards, eggs, and carrion (dead animals), and is able to digest anything it eats.[ citation needed]
When threatened, V. spenceri hisses loudly, distends its throat and whips its aggressor with its muscular tail.[ citation needed]
The preferred natural habitat of V. spenceri is grassland. [1]
Living in black soil plains with no trees, Spencer's goanna is the only Australian monitor that does not readily climb, although juvenile animals will climb given the opportunity.[ citation needed]
Clutch size of Spencer's monitor generally ranges between 11 and 30 eggs. [4]
Varanus ingrami Boulenger, 1906, is an invalid name (a junior synonym) for this species. [3]