Class Sauropsida Suborder Lacertilia Scientific name Varanus eremius | Phylum Chordata Family Varanidae Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Short‑tailed monitor, Mitchell's water monitor, Stripe‑tailed goanna, Black‑palmed rock monitor, Pilbara monitor | ||
The rusty desert monitor (Varanus eremius) is a species of small monitor lizards native to Australia. It is also known as the pygmy desert monitor. The monitor lizard belongs to the subgenus Odatria along with the Pygmy Mulga Monitor. This monitor lizard is oviparous as with other monitor lizards.
Contents
Distribution
Varanus eremius is the most widespread of the pygmy goannas. It lives in desert and semidesert areas of South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Its range possibly includes Queensland, as well.; Storr & Harold 1980).
Description
The rusty desert monitor reaches a total length of about 50 cm. The colouration of this monitor lizard on the upper side is light to dark reddish-brown with numerous, irregularly distributed, black or deep-brown spots. Sometimes, smaller primrose or cream-colored spots are present. Its tail shows alternating cream-colored and deep-brown longitudinal stripes, which are often broken up into scattered spots at the tail base. A conspicuous black stripe occurs from the snout to the eye.
Behaviour
This species spends its life on the ground and seldom climbs trees. No successful breeding in captivity has yet been reported.
Diet
Stomach contents indicate the diet by volume of the rusty desert monitor consists mainly of other lizards (76%). The remainder of animals eaten by this monitor include large grasshoppers and occasional scorpions.