Class Reptilia Suborder Lacertilia Scientific name Varanus glebopalma | Phylum Chordata Family Varanidae Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Stripe‑tailed goanna, Mitchell's water monitor, Spencer's goanna, Rusty desert monitor, Short‑tailed monitor | ||
The black-palmed rock monitor (Varanus glebopalma) is a member of the Varanidae family found in Australia. Also known as the twilight monitor or the long-tailed rock monitor, it is a member of the subgenus Odatria, and is found in the northern part of Australia in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, as well as Queensland. Specifically, its distribution extends from Mount Isa in the east to the Kimberleys in the west. Its habitat is areas of rock escarpment, and large populations may be found in small areas.
Contents
Diet
In the wild, black-palmed rock monitors prefer to eat insects, lizards, and other small vertebrates.
Description
The black-palmed rock monitor reaches a total length of just over 100 cm. The coloration of V. glebopalma on the back shows a black ground color with some light brown scales. These form a "reticulated pattern at the sides or small ocelli with a black central spot on top." The top sides of the head and the limbs are black with small, light brown or cream-colored spots which "flow together". Their limbs have larger spots. The scientific name of this species, glebopalma, refers to the shiny black pads found on the undersides of their feet.
