Peach-throated monitor facts for kids
The peach-throated monitor (Varanus jobiensis), also called the Sepik monitor, is a type of monitor lizard. It lives naturally in New Guinea.
Quick facts for kids Peach-throated monitor |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Varanus
|
| Species: |
jobiensis
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Contents
About the Peach-throated Monitor Family
The peach-throated monitor is part of a group of lizards called Euprepiosaurus. This group also includes other cool monitors like the blue-tailed monitor and the mangrove monitor. These lizards often live in the same areas as the peach-throated monitor.
Scientists think that the peach-throated monitor might actually be a group of very similar species. These species have been slowly changing and becoming different from each other for millions of years. They started to become distinct from a group called the V. indicus monitors about 4.7 million years ago.
Where Peach-throated Monitors Live
.jpg)
Peach-throated monitors only live in New Guinea and some nearby islands. These islands include Biak, Salawati, Yapen, Normanby, and Waigeo. They live in rainforests. You can find them from sea level up to about 900 meters (about 2,950 feet) high.
What Peach-throated Monitors Look Like
Peach-throated monitors can grow quite long. They can reach up to 120 centimeters (about 4 feet) in total length. This measurement includes their long tail. Their throat can be white-yellow or even red. This special color is how they got their common name, "peach-throated."
What Peach-throated Monitors Eat
Peach-throated monitors mostly eat insects. They also sometimes eat frogs. If they can find them, they might also eat freshwater fish and small mammals.
Peach-throated Monitors and People
In New Guinea, people sometimes hunt peach-throated monitors. They are hunted for food.
Reproduction
Peach-throated monitors lay eggs. This means they are oviparous. The mother lizard lays her eggs, and the baby lizards hatch from them later.
How the Peach-throated Monitor Got Its Name
The scientific name for this lizard is jobiensis. This name comes from the Latin word "Jobi." Jobi is another name for the island of Yapen. This island is where the first peach-throated monitor was found and described by scientists.
Another old name for this lizard was Varanus karlschmidti. This name was given to honor an American scientist named Karl Patterson Schmidt. He studied reptiles and amphibians.
Gallery
-
Raja Ampat Papua, 2017
-
Raja Ampat Papua, 2017
-
Raja Ampat Papua, 2017, note the peach coloured throat
-
On wall
_-_25420447277.jpg)
.jpg)
_-_40246479482.jpg)
_(CWPG).jpg)
