Mangrove monitor

Varanus indicus

Irish Name: Monitóir mangrόbh
IUCN Status: Least Concern

The mangrove monitor is a member of the monitor lizard family. It is dark green or black in colour, with small yellow spots. It has a dark purple tongue and five sharp claws on each foot.

Mangrove monitor

Varanus indicus

Irish Name: Monitóir mangrόbh
IUCN Status: Least Concern

The mangrove monitor is a member of the monitor lizard family. It is dark green or black in colour, with small yellow spots. It has a dark purple tongue and five sharp claws on each foot.

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

Mangrove monitors live in mangroves (tropical trees found near water, typically saltwater), wetlands and in forests near coastal rivers and lakes in northern Australia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands.

How long do they live?

10-20 years

What do they eat?

Mangrove monitors are carnivores (meat-eaters). They eat rodents, crabs, the eggs of reptiles and birds, fish and insects.

Group name

Mangrove monitors are solitary (mostly live alone) and do not have a group name.

Zoo location

Zoorassic World

Closest related species / sister species

There are several monitor species, such as the blue-tailed monitor, the Ceram mangrove monitor, the tri-colour monitor and the New Ireland monitor, that are closely related to the mangrove monitor. It can be difficult to tell monitor species apart, and scientists suspect that there are other species closely related to the mangrove monitor that are yet to be discovered.

Animal class

Reptilia

Animal order

Squamata

Fun facts

Built in filter

The mangrove monitor has a special nasal gland that helps it remove extra salt from its body taken in from saltwater when it dives for prey.

Venomous

Mangrove monitors produce venom when they bite to kill their prey.

Jacobson's organ

The mangrove monitor has a Jacobson's organ, like many snakes and lizards. This organ is found at the roof of its mouth and is used to help it smell. This is why you see some reptiles 'tasting the air', as they catch scents on their tongues and rub them into the Jacobson's organ. Mangrove monitors’ tongues are often forked, allowing them to tell what direction a scent is coming from. This helps them to find their prey.

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Family Life

Mangrove monitors are generally solitary (mostly live alone), except when mating.

Baby name

Hatchling

Gestation (pregnancy) period

Eggs hatch in about 7-8 months.

Number of young at birth

2-12 eggs.

Age at maturity

1.5 years

Adult size

1.1 - 1.2 metres

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Conservation

Least Concern

The mangrove monitor is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Current population estimate

Unknown.

Threats

Mangrove monitors are hunted for their skins and meat and are also threatened by the destruction of their habitats.

Mangrove monitor
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FAQs

  • How big do mangrove monitors get?

    Mangrove monitors grow up to 1.2m in size.

  • What do Mangrove monitors eat?

    Mangrove monitors eat rodents, crabs, the eggs of reptiles and birds, fish and insects. They can also catch and eat surprisingly large prey by opening their mouths incredibly wide.

  • Are mangrove monitors a type of lizard?

    Yes, mangrove monitors are a type of lizard. Other types of lizards include geckos, chameleons and iguanas.

  • Do mangrove monitors use venom or poison on prey?

    Mangrove monitors use venom on prey. They produce venom from special glands in their jaws that they release once they bite.

  • Are mangrove monitors endangered?

    No, mangrove monitors are not endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classes them as Least Concern.

  • Where do mangrove monitors live in the wild?

    Mangrove monitors live in mangroves (tropical trees found near water, mainly saltwater), wetlands and in forests near coastal rivers and lakes. They can be found in northern Australia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands.

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