RANGE:
Papua New Guinea
HABITAT:
Lowland forests near swamps and rivers.
SIZE:
Length: Regularly reach lengths of 7 – 9 ft. with the longest recorded reaching 10.6 ft.
LIFE EXPECTANCY
Wild: Unknown
Captivity: Approximately 10 years but could possibly live 15 – 20.
REPRODUCTION
- Reproduction has only been observed in captivity.
- Eggs of various sizes are deposited October through January.
- Females will nest above ground and can produce up to three clutches of eggs per year.
- Clutches may contain 4 – 12 eggs.
DIET
Wild: Carrion and other small reptiles
Zoo: Mice, rats and fowl.
BEHAVIOR
- Tree dweller
- May use its long tail as a defense by thrashing it around
- Can be flighty and nervous in captivity
STATUS
Not endangered, but rare.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Longest lizard in the world from snout to tip of the tail
- Unlike other monitor lizards, it has flat, serrated teeth that easily slice and tear flesh.
- Native peoples of Pupua New Guinea greatly feared these lizards and considered them man-eaters.
REFERENCES
- http://www.centralpets.com
- http://www.honoluluzoo.org
