Biak Emerald Tree Monitor (Varanus kordensis) Family: Monitor Lizards (Varanidae) Order: Scaly Reptiles or Squamates (Squamata)

Other names:  Biak Tree Monitor, Kordo Monitor Lizard. Size:  70-80 cm, max. 90 cm. Distribution:  Known only from the Indonesian island Biak in the Geelwink Bay, off the northwestern coast of New Guinea. Habitat:  The long, prehensile tail (about two thirds of the total length) is an adaption to an arboreal lifestyle, where it helps the animal keep the balance. Food:  The food in the wild is not known with certainty, but experiences from captive animals indicate that it comprises insects and other invertebrates, as well as small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, including eggs and youngs. Reproduction:  Lays 3-4 eggs per clutch, which hatch shortly after 6 months (190 days), based on experiences from captivity. Activity and behaviour:  Diurnal. Variation:  No variation within the restricted range of this species is known. It was first described a a new species back in 1874, and has since been regarded as a subspecies of the Common Emerald Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus), or by some even just as a colour phase of same species. However, recent research has shown that it deserves recognition as a separate species. Status:  Controlled by international trade regulations (CITES Appendix II). References: Allison, A. 2007. Herpetofauna of Papua. pp. 564-616. In: Marshall, A.J. & Beehler, B.M. (eds.). The ecology of Papua. Part 1. Periplus Editions, Singapore. pp. 1-749. Allison, A.; Kraus, F. 2006. Checklist of the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Papuan region. www.bishopmuseum.org/research/pbs/papuanherps/taxa.html Bennett, D. 1998. Monitor lizards. Natural history, biology & husbandry. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. 352 pp. (2nd revised and expanded edition of "A little book of monitor lizards". Edited by T. Wilms & B. Bartholemew). Böhme, W. 2003. Checklist of the living monitor lizards of the world (family Varanidae). Zoologische Verhandelingen (Leiden) 341: 1-43. Eidenmüller, B. 2007. Monitor lizards: natural history, captive care, breeding. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. 176 pp. Eidenmüller, B.; Philippen, H.D. 2008. Varanoid lizards. (Terralog vol. 6). Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main / Rodgau. 148 pp. Jacobs, H.J. 2002. Zur morphologischen Variabilitaet der nominellen Smaragdwaran-Taxa Varanus prasinus (H. Schlegel, 1839) und V. kordensis (A.B. Meyer, 1874), mit Bemerkungen zur Erstzucht des letzteren. Herpetofauna (Weinstadt) 24(137): 21-34. Lisle, H.F. de. 1996. The natural history of monitor lizards. Krieger, Malabar, Florida. 201 pp. Pianka, E.R.; King, D.R.; King, R.A. (eds.). 2004. Varanoid lizards of the world. Indiana University Press, Bloomington. 588 pp. Sprackland, R.G. 1991. Taxonomic review of the Varanus prasinus group with descriptions of two new species. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 30(3): 561-576. Wikipedia. Varanus kordensis. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanus_kordensis). (set 20. april 2010). Ziegler, T.; Schmitz, A.; Koch, A.; Böhme, W. 2007. A review of the subgenus Euprepiosaurus of Varanus (Squamata: Varanidae): morphological and molecular phylogeny, distribution and zoogeography, with an identification key for the members of the V. indicus and the V. prasinus species groups. Zootaxa 1472: 1-28. Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard

Gallery Home The Biak Emerald Tree Monitor was previously just regarded as a variety of the Common Emerald Tree Monitor of New Guinea. Only recently, it has been given status as a separate species. © Rune Midtgaard.