the arabian wildcat , or gordon 's wildcat , ( felis silvestris gordoni ) is a wildcat subspecies that inhabits the arabian peninsula and was first described in 1968 by british ornithologist james maurice harrison .

it was named in honour of major a.c. gordon who collected the type specimen in oman .

arabian wildcat

arabian wildcat ( felis silvestris gordoni ) , also known as the gordon ' s wildcat . wildlife animal .
arabian wildcat ( felis silvestris gordoni ) at dubai zoo . 12 . 10 . 2013
arabian wildcat ( felis silvestris gordoni ) at dubai zoo . 12 . 10 . 2013 - youtube
potential arabian caracal prey – arabian partridges ( alectoris melanocephala ) in forest , hawf protected area , yemen – notice it is the same location as the caracal shot above .
sorry but there are no population numbers for any of the wildcats , including the african wildcat and gordon’s wildcat . the african wildcat lives in such a huge range in so many countries it would be impossible to study them all .
arabian wildcats ( felis silvestris gordoni ) at jihlava zoo in eastern bohemia , czech republic .
. report from the united arab emirates and yemen . african - arabian wildlife research centre .
the genetically pure arabian wildcat now occurs only in the united arab emirates and northern oman , in the eastern arabian peninsula . it makes its home in semi - desert and rocky terrain , avoiding the desert wastelands filled with large dunes that lack scrub and rock .
scientific classification ( taxonomy ) of the wildcat is constantly changing . in 2017 , the revised taxonomy of the felidae family recognised the following two full wildcat species :
like all felines , the arabian wildcat - - comparable in size and anatomy to the typical house cat - - is superbly designed for stalking , capturing and killing its prey .
the cat ' s ferocity is well noted by tribesmen , who say ,
they would rather tackle a wild leopard than a gordon ' s [ arabian ] wildcat .
1
arabian wildcat ( felis silvestris gordoni ) at dubai zoo . 12 . 10 . 2013 . video by : prof . dr . sc . norman ali bassam khalaf - von jaffa .
the fur is shorter than of the european wildcat , and it is considerably smaller .
the african wildcat is widespread in africa and extends into the middle east , but excludes the sahara desert and central tropical rainforests . the map shows the distribution for all the wildcat species .
the asian wildcat is pale sand - colored or gray and is covered with distinct black spots .
since 2003 i have carried out a variety of projects at wildcru on small carnivores , with the past 5 years focusing on the scottish wildcat . in october 2010 i started a dphil looking at the current status and distribution of the scottish wildcat as part of wildcru’s ongoing scottish wildcat research .
habitat destruction through agriculture , overgrazing , and desertification is the second biggest threat to the survival of the arabian caracal .
2 . a comparison of the genetic and pelage characteristics to determine whether the wildcat pelage characteristics identified by andrew kitchener at the national museum’s of scotland in 2005 correspond to the genetic markers for identifying scottish wildcat .
3 . a study on the feasibility of re - introducing the scottish wildcat into the scottish highlands and examining the possibility of establishing a captive breeding centre for the scottish wildcat at the alladale wilderness reserve , scotland .
the arabian wildcat may be somewhat protected in islamic society because the prophet mohammed is said to have loved them . according to one legend , he cut off the sleeve of his coat rather than disturb a cat sleeping on it .
the taxonomy of the wildcat is still debated as are the genetic differences between the wildcat subspecies and the domestic cat . it is discussed if the wildcat ( f . silvestris ) consists of five subspecies : the european wildcat ( f . s . silvestris ) , the african wildcat ( f . s . lybica ) , the asiatic wildcat ( f . s . ornata ) , the southern african wildcat ( f . s . cafra ) and the chinese mountain cat ( f . s . bieti ) or if f . bieti , f . silvestris and f . lybica should be considered as three recently radiated phylogenetic species , with f . lybica including the subspecies f . s . ornata and f . s . cafra . moreover , it is not clear if the domestic cat , genetically very similar to the wildcat , should be considered as a separate species ( f . catus ) or as a subspecies of the wildcat ( f . s . catus ) .
it is thinly distributed throughout the nubian , saharan and arabian deserts , where it is generally restricted to mountains and dry watercourses .
distribution of the wildcat felis silvestris is extensive , but despite this relatively little is known about the ecology and behaviour of the various populations inhabiting diverse habitats . few observations have been made on wildcats inhabiting the arabian peninsula , especially on the particularly small subspecies occurring in the united arab emirates and the sultanate of oman , the gordon’s wildcat felis lybica gordoni .
it is also important to agree on a clear taxonomy of the wildcat : current legislation to protect the wildcat can be only effective if they are seen as a separate species from the domestic cat . there is still a lack of information regarding the current status of both wildcat species and population trends in many parts of their distribution ranges .
arabian oryx ( oryx leucoryx ) , gordon’s wildcat ( felis silvestris gordoni ) , arabian red fox , ( vulpes vulpes ) , sand fox ( vulpes rueppellii ) , sand gazelle ( gazella leptoceros ) , mountain gazelle ( gazella gazella ) , macqueen ' s bustard ( chlamydotis macqueenii ) , pharaoh eagle owl ( bubo bubo ) , lappet - faced vulture ( torgos tracheliotos ) .
three confirmed separate sub - populations are there on the arabian peninsula with fewer than estimated 200 individuals . like all other subspecies arabian leopard too is threatened by poaching and retaliatory killing in defense of livestock , habitat loss , degradation and fragmentation and hunting of its prey .
the african wildcat appears to have diverged from the other subspecies about 131 , 000 years ago . some individual african wildcats were first
. european regional studbook for the asiatic caracal . report : 1 - 46 . sharjah , united arab emirates , breeding centre for endangered arabian wildlife .
the arabian ( or gordon ' s ) wildcat may look like a big ole ' tabby cat , but , pound for pound , this animal - - powerful , supple and fiercely combative - - is a formidable predator , usually striking in the darkness of night to take its quarry .
for the purposes of this website - the african wildcat refers to the subspecies f . l . lybica and f . l . cafra .
this arabian oryx and other desert species conservation project will take you to the fascinating and iconic sandy desert landscape of the arabian peninsula . working alongside scientists from the dubai desert conservation reserve , you will be part of a small international team , monitoring arabian oryx , gordon ' s wildcat , red and sand fox , mountain and sand gazelles , as well as other flagship species of the desert . from a comfortable oasis field camp , you will venture out in the expedition 4wds and on foot to study antelope behaviour and social structures , camera - and live - trap gordon ' s wildcat , red and sand fox , and monitor them by radio and gps telemetry . all this to ensure the survival of these important flagship desert species in their beleaguered world .
1 . a study on the feasibility of feral cat control in the cairngorms national park in order to benefit the conservation of the scottish wildcat .
this subspecies concentrate on small - to - medium - sized prey such as arabian tahr , mountain gazelle , hares , rock hyrax , birds , lizards and even insects .
the african wildcat has a very broad habitat tolerance and is found from deserts , semi deserts , savannahs , scrub grassland to open forests in hilly and rocky terrain as well as in mixed forests . it seems to be absent only from tropical rainforest . in the nubian , saharan and arabian deserts , it seems to be restricted to mountains and dry watercourses . in kenya , ethiopia and algeria , the african wildcat has been recorded at over 3 , 000 m elevation .
4 . a pilot study jointly funded by wildcru and snh determining whether camera trapping is a suitable methodology for future monitoring efforts of the scottish wildcat .
the wildcat is the size of a large housecat . the african wildcat has longer legs than the domestic cat giving it a more upright posture in the sitting position and a different walking form . the african wildcat’s fur is short , reddish to sandy and tawny brown to greyish coloured , typically marked with faint , unremarkable tabby stripes and spots on the body and sides . the wildcat have short muzzles with orange around the nose and white patches below the eyes . its tail is long , and dark above with three blackish rings at the base and a dark tip . its paw pads are black like those of the black - footed cat . the african wildcat distinguishes itself from the european one by lighter build , less distinct markings and a thin tapering tail .
embed this arkive thumbnail link (
portlet
) by copying and pasting the code below . < a href =
urltoken
title =
arkive photo - african wildcat defending itself from a cheetah
> < img src =
urltoken
alt =
arkive photo - african wildcat defending itself from a cheetah
title =
arkive photo - african wildcat defending itself from a cheetah
border =
0
/ > < / a >
it was tentatively affirmed as a distinct subspecies by genetic analysis from a single captive specimen from israel of south arabian origin , which appeared most closely related to the african leopard .
as a species , the arabian wildcat has benefited from the preservation work of environmental organizations such as the arabian leopard trust . nevertheless , the cat faces long - term threats to its existence . its range has been adversely affected by encroachment from human expansion . its numbers have been impacted by road kills and hunting . it cross - breeds readily with encroaching humans ' pet and feral cats , raising the specters of pervasive hybridization and disease transmission . cross - breeding could lead to the extinction of the pure species .
although unknown specifically for the arabian caracal , males territories are probably larger than female territories ( as is the case for the other subspecies ) and will encompass multiple females for one male .
embed this arkive thumbnail link (
portlet
) by copying and pasting the code below . < a href =
urltoken
title =
arkive video - european wildcat in habitat , hunts and catches rodent
> < img src =
urltoken
alt =
arkive video - european wildcat in habitat , hunts and catches rodent
title =
arkive video - european wildcat in habitat , hunts and catches rodent
border =
0
/ > < / a >
the wildcat is included in appendix ii of cites but it is not protected over most of its range in africa . the wildcat ( including felis silvestris and felis lybica ) is considered as least concern in the iucn red list of threatened species . the species felis lybica has not yet been separately assessed in the iucn red list .
who defend the territory against intruders . a female gives birth to two to six kittens , with three being average . the african wildcat often rests and gives birth in
the wildcat has a very wide distribution , found throughout most of africa , europe , southwest and central asia into india , china , and mongolia . the african wildcat occurs in wide parts of africa and around the periphery of the arabian peninsula to the caspian sea . it is present in all east and southern african countries . in north africa they occur discontinuously from morocco through algeria , tunisia , and libya into egypt . in west africa it is widely distributed from mauritania to the horn of africa , sudan and ethiopia .
overgrazing caused by livestock , like this camel , leads to less vegetation , which leads to less food for native herbivores , and therefor a decrease in the native prey of the arabian caracals .
therefor , to those looking for information on this amazing wild cat , i wanted to share the information i have found from different sources as well as my own personal observations about the arabian caracal .
the arabian leopard is a true rarity : only an estimated 250 exist worldwide . alex kendall headed to south - west oman , home to a handful , to see how volunteers can help bolster numbers
a solitary animal , the arabian wildcat seeks companionship , specifically a mate , only during the breeding season in the cooler months of november through january . the male is drawn by the scent of a female , who will remain sexually receptive for only a few days . after mating , the male resumes his lonely life . he will take no part in rearing the young .
the biggest threat to the survival of the gordon’s wildcat as a species is the interbreeding with feral or domestic cats , which could lead to is extinction as a distinct species .
some authors group all the wildcat subspecies under felis silvestris and others separate them into two species - felis silvestris in their european range and felis lybica in the african and asian range .
the wildcat ( including felis silvestris and felis lybica ) is considered as least concern in the iucn red list of threatened species . the species felis lybica has not yet been seperatly assessed in the iucn red list . the status of the african wildcat is not very clear as it is a cryptic species and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish it from domestic cats .
traditionally , arabian caracals were tamed by people in india and iran to be used for hunting and for sport in which they had two caracals compete to see which could kill more birds in a flock of pigeons .
overall , the wildcat is classed by the iucn red data list as least concern , although the population trend is decreasing . individual subspecies or regional populations are not classified on their own .
the wildcat is territorial and uses scent marks for communication . in the united arab emirates , the home range of one female was quite large at 52 . 7 km² . in south africa female home ranges of 6 - 10 km² were recorded in the kalahari gemsbok national park . the home range of one male african wildcat near the nakuru in kenya was 4 . 3 km² .
the fur colour of the african wildcat is light sandy grey , and sometimes with a pale yellow or reddish hue . the ears are reddish to grey , with long light yellow hairs around the
the main prey species of the african wildcat are rodents such as rats , mice and voles . it also hunts insectivores , hares , rabbits , birds , insects , frogs , lizards , fish and occasionally martens , weasels , polecats , and poultry . the wildcat can also prey on young antelopes and small livestock ( lambs , goat kits ) . it is also known to be a scavenger .
due to the arid climate , which supports less prey , the home range size of the arabian caracal is much larger than that of the other caracal subspecies . one male in saudi arabia had a home range size of 270 km
2007 ) . there are probably very few , if any , “wildcat” populations which have little history of hybridisation with domestic cats . this introgression with domestic cats makes an estimation of wildcat population size very difficult even in comparison to other similarly elusive wild felids . morphological criteria and genetic markers have been developed that should help to resolve these problems ( schauenberg 1969 , 1977 , randi and ragni 1986 , 1991 , french
the gordon’s wildcat looks very similar to and is the same size as a domestic cat . indeed , the biggest threat to the survival of the gordon’s wildcat as a species is the interbreeding with feral or domestic cats , which could lead to its extinction as a distinct species . very little is known about the gordon’s wildcat population within the ddcr ; the last population estimate was done in 2004 . this expedition will enable ddcr scientists to update information on population size and distribution as well as conduct a dna study of the species ; information that is important for informed management decisions to be made and threats to be averted .
16 km² ) . in an israeli study , the home ranges of male arabian caracals averaged 220 . 6 km² . this is a large difference when compared to the wetter environments of south africa , where the home ranges of males averaged 26 . 9 km² . additionally , the arabian caracal has not been found to use a core area ( an area most time is spent ) , unlike the subspecies in africa . this may be due to the lack of prey densities .
iucn cat specialist group , 1996 .
african wildcat , felis silvestris , lybica group
( on - line ) . iucn cat specialist group ; species accounts . accessed march 12 , 2004 at urltoken .
iucn cat specialist group , 1996 .
asiatic wildcat , felis silvestris , ornata group
( on - line ) . iucn cat specialist group ; species accounts . accessed march 12 , 2004 at urltoken .
iucn cat specialist group , 1996 .
european wildcat , felis silvestris , silvestris group
( on - line ) . iucn cat specialist group ; species accounts . accessed march 12 , 2004 at urltoken .
the african wildcat occurs in a variety of habitats due to its extensive range across most of africa . the exceptions are the central tropical rainforests and only sparsely in the true deserts of the sahara in the north .
one of the world ' s most numerous animals . however , domestic cats hybridise readily with wildcats , and genetic analysis of “wildcat” samples found that most populations showed evidence of hybridisation ( nowell and jackson 1996 , driscoll
the african wildcat has a very broad habitat tolerance and is found from deserts , semi deserts , savannahs , scrub grassland to open forests in hilly and rocky terrain as well as in mixed forests . it seems to be absent only from tropical rainforest . in the nubian , saharan and arabian deserts , it seems to be restricted to mountains and dry watercourses . in kenya , ethiopia and algeria , it has been recorded at over 3 , 000 m elevation .
) , which is classified as critically endangered by iucn ( international union for conservation of nature ) since 1996 , is a subspecies native to the arabian peninsula . their number was less than 200 in 2006 , and the population was still decreasing .
the african wildcat is a solitary species but can form temporary , as the feral domestic cats sometimes do , large groups comprised of a female with her offspring from several consecutive litters . it is mainly nocturnal , especially in very hot environments or in proximity to settled areas but it can also be active in early mornings or late afternoons . the african wildcat hunts primarily on the ground but it is an excellent climber . it gets its prey by stalking followed by a quick attack . since the wildcat depends mainly on rodents , which undergo large cyclic changes in populations , it must be able to frequently produce large litters to withstand these prey base fluctuations .
there are about twenty five arabian caracals in captivity today ( or to be more accurate , this number represents the animals officially registered as being captive and does not take into account any illegally held individuals ) . most of these animals are in the middle east , with the exception of moscow zoological park , russia and melbourne zoo in australia which both have an adult male in their collections . the average life span for an arabian caracal in captivity is 4 . 4 years ( range 1 day to 19 years ) .
this wildcat has a very wide distribution , found throughout most of africa , southwest and central asia into india , china , and mongolia . it is found in most parts of africa and around the periphery of the arabian peninsula to the caspian sea . it is present in all east and southern african countries . in north africa they occur discontinuously from morocco through algeria , tunisia , and libya into egypt . in west africa it is widely distributed from mauritania to the horn of africa , sudan and ethiopia .
size and appearance : a more robust version of the domestic cat , the wildcat weighs between 7 - 18 pounds , stands 14 - 16 inches tall and reaches lengths of 29 - 46 inches . the european wildcat is typically a gray - brown cat with a wide variety in ground color . the coat is usually boldly marked with stripes that run along the neck and down the flanks , just like a domestic striped tabby , but with fewer more widely spaced stripes . they usually have a white throat patch , and may have white patches on their abdomen and between their forelegs . the ears are brown with no central white spots on the backs . the tail is bushy and blunt ended , unlike the tapered end of a domestic cat’s . there is an all black wildcat in scotland , commonly referred to as kellas cats , but it has now been found to be due to mixed breeding with domestic cats , and is not a pure wildcat .
an international studbook aims to record the captive individuals of the subspecies distributed in oman and the united arab emirates , the gordon’s wildcat ( f . l . gordoni ) , which is threatened via hybridisation and human encroachment of the desert environment .
there are two main features that can help distinguish wildcats from domestic cats and hybrids . one is the rich reddish brown on the backs of the ears . domestic - wild crosses usually have dark gray or black - backed ears , but sometimes retain a little red at the base . a second striking characteristic is the wildcat’s long legs . when the wildcat is sitting upright , its long front legs raise its body into an almost vertical position . this characteristic pose , which is almost impossible for domestic cats or crosses , can be seen in the ancient egyptian bronze mummy cases and tomb paintings . even when walking the wildcat’s long legs and high shoulder blades give it a distinctive action ; it moves more like a cheetah than a domestic cat .
the arabian caracal is solitary , and only comes together with a conspecific for breeding . it is mostly active at night , especially in areas affected by humans , but can also be day active . in winter , with lower average temperatures , it will be more active during the day .
. the cat approaches its prey slowly , and attacks by pouncing on its prey as soon as it is within range ( about one metre ) . the african wildcat is mainly active during the night and twilight . when confronted , the african wildcat raises its hair to make itself seem larger in order to intimidate its opponent . in the daytime it usually hides in the bushes , although it is sometimes active on dark , cloudy days . the territory of a male overlaps with that of a few females ,
the team also set traps for small animals , and caught cheeseman’s gerbils and the lesser jerboa . other sightings on the camera included the urchin beetle , and reptiles such as arabian sand skink and gecko . all these mean there is plenty of food available in the region for the sand cat .
a kitten , opening its eyes about 7 to 12 days after its birth , nurses for several weeks . as it grows , the spots of its coat merge into stripes . fully weaned at about 2 to 3 months , it follows its mother to learn the art of hunting live prey . growing rapidly , the kittens become self - reliant at about six months , and mature sexually at about one year . in the wild , the arabian wildcat may live for about 7 to 8 years . in captivity , it may live for twice that long .
the revised taxonomy of the felidae provisionally recognises the following species of the genus felis : felis chaus ( jungle cat ) , felis nigripes ( black - footed cat ) , felis margarita ( sand cat ) , felis bieti ( chinese mountain cat ) , felis silvestris ( european wildcat ) , felis lybica ( african wildcat ) and felis catus ( domestic cat ) . felis lybica thus includes the steppe and bush cats of africa and asia . although from some key areas no samples were available , three subspecies of felis lybica are tentatively identified :
arabian leopard has pelage hues that vary from pale yellow to deep golden or tawny and are patterned with rosettes . at a weight of about 30 kg ( 66 lb ) for the male and around 20 kg ( 44 lb ) for female , the subspecies is much smaller than the african leopard and other asian subspecies .
the animal’s geographic range is poorly understood but generally considered as limited to the arabian peninsula , including egypt’s sinai peninsula . until late 1960s , this cat was widely distributed in the arabian peninsula . it once existed in haqel in the northern part of the median mountains , and in hijaz and the sarawat mountains . it was also present in the northern yemen highlands , in the mountains of ras al - khaimah , in the eastern region of the united arab emirates ( uae ) , and in the jabal samhan and dhofar mountains in oman . there was a very small population in israel’s negev desert , estimated at 20 in the late 1970s .
the arabian caracal has a multitude of vocalizations including growls , spits , hisses , barks , and meows . to communicate without direct contact , they will scent mark , deposit feces , and spray urine as part of territorial marking and to denote mating prowess . smells can be picked up over larger distances through the vomeronasal organ .
the wildcat was domesticated around 9 , 000 - 10 , 000 years ago in the southwestern asia . recent investigation indicates that the origin of the domestic cat lies in mesopotamia where the first grains were cultivated . with rising agricultural practices there was a need to protect the grains from rodents .
only a single study by means of telemetry established home range size and daily movement as well as denning behaviour of one female over the period of 14 months and for one male for 1 . 5 months in the desert surrounding the breeding centre for endangered arabian wildlife , emirate of sharjah ( phelan & sliwa , 2005 , 2006 ) .
communication : unlike the large cats , the arabian wildcat ( as well as other species of the small wildcats ) does not roar . much like a domestic cat , it hisses , growls , purrs or meows ( a harsh - sounding
mwa , mwa
) , usually to communicate its mood to a nearby cat . a female may squeak to silence her kittens . the cat advertises its territory by spraying urine and depositing scat throughout its range . it uses body language , arching its back and raising its hair to warn an enemy . a female uses a specialized gland to produce a scent that signals her readiness to mate .
the arabian caracal is found in the middle east as well as central and south west asia . it’s range extends over the following countries : afghanistan , egypt , india , iran , iraq , israel , jordan , kuwait , lebanon , oman , pakistan , saudi arabia , syria , turkey , turkmenistan , united arab emirates , and yemen .
the arabian caracal uses a variety of habitats but prefers drier woodland and semi - desert habitats . it requires some form of cover and is therefor associated with vegetated or rocky areas . it is not found in a true desert environment ( this is also shown by the range map , as much of saudi arabia is a true desert ) .
the arabian caracal is a medium sized cat ( though in broader terms it would fall into the small cat category ) . the arabian caracal subspecies is the smallest subspecies of caracal . its tawny brown fur with a white underside is lighter in coloration than the african subspecies . it has a slender body , with long legs . its conspicuous features are its triangular ears , which have 4 - 5 cm long black hair tufts . its tail is short relative to its body size and is about a third of its head and body length . it has hairs between its pads , to protect them when traveling over hot rocks or sand . the subspecies exhibits sexual dimorphism with males being larger than females .
the wildcat can live also in agricultural or cultivated landscapes dominated by humans if enough rodents are available . however , such habitats are also where hybridization takes place and spreads . therefore , it is important to identify genetically pure african wildcats and assure their protection to prevent hybridization or disease spread from domestic cats . the differentiation between wild and domestic cat is however complicated and difficult to do . an international studbook aims to record the captive individuals of the subspecies distributed in oman and the united arab emirates , the gordon’s wildcat ( f . s . gordoni ) , which is threatened via hybridisation and human encroachment of the desert environment .
the most urgent conservation need is to identify genetically pure wildcats and to prohibit hybridisation . however , this task is difficult as wildcats cannot be distinguished easily from domestic cats or hybrids . further research on hybridisation levels may warrant a reassessment of the wildcat as a threatened species due to population declines of genetically pure wildcats .
body the african wildcat looks similar to a short - haired domestic tabby cat , but has relatively longer legs and a long thin , tapering tail . when sitting upright , their long legs cause the body to be in an almost vertical position . this cat is similar looking to the jungle cat but is much smaller .
, asiatic wild cats . african wild cats are found in appropriate habitat throughout africa and the arabian peninsula . european wild cats are found throughout europe and western russia , except for much of the british isles ( they are found in scotland ) and scandinavian countries . asiatic wildcats are found in the middle east , southern russia , western china , and western india . some authorities recognize
the birth season in southern africa is from september to march . in the northern sahara breeding takes place from january to march . gestation lastas for 56 - 68 days and at 9 - 12 months the wildcat reaches its sexual maturity . when the female is in heat , it only allows one male to be in its territory .
the mammals came out mostly after dark , showing up as ghostly images on the camera - traps . hyaena , wolf , ibex , wildcat and fox , and finally – at a remote spot , miles from any roads and accessible only on foot – that crucial image of the leopard , prowling under an overhang , seeking its prey in the darkness .
though the species as a whole is common through much of its range ( the iucn classifies it as least concern ) , the populations which the arabian caracal comprises are the rarest . population counts have not been completed or estimated in recent times , but even old estimates in pakistan and iran , labeled the subspecies as being rare . the overall population trend is unknown , but jordon reported a declining trend .
the birth season in southern africa is from september to march . in the northern sahara breeding takes place from january to march . gestation lasts for 56 - 68 days and at 9 - 12 months the wildcat reaches its sexual maturity . when the female is in heat , it only allows one male in its territory . longevity is up to 16 years .
“i found this arabian oryx conservation expedition very informative and interesting . loved it that i have learned so many new things about the desert and its animals , as well a being taught sand driving and the use of various pieces of equipment . i would like to thank all the people involved in making this expedition happen very much . well done ! ! ! had a great time ! ” evelyn brey , 48 , uae .
the main prey species are rodents such as rats , mice and voles . it also hunts insectivores , hares , rabbits , birds , insects , frogs , lizards , fish and occasionally martens , weasels , polecats , and poultry . the wildcat can also prey on young antelopes and small livestock ( lambs , goat kits ) . it is also known to be a scavenger .
the arabian oryx is the largest of the antelopes in the region and it is very well adapted to the extremely arid environment . oryx once roamed all across arabia , but the advent of firearms saw their rapid decline . since 1986 the arabian oryx is classified as “endangered” on the iucn red list , but was already
very rare and believed to be rapidly decreasing in numbers
in 1965 . re - introduced into the ddcr in 1999 , the population has steadily grown from the original 100 individuals to nearly 500 today . for the next phase of the oryx project , local scientists need a greater understanding of how oryx fit into the ddcr’s natural environment , which habitats and plants they prefer , what the social structure of the herd is and how this is affected by the environment . this can only be achieved through monitoring for which biosphere expeditions will provide the manpower .
other species present , all in true sandy and rocky desert habitat : arabian hare , ethiopian hedgehog and the lesser jerboa . there are also a number of reptiles , such as the monitor and spiny - tailed lizards , and both residential and migrating bird species , such as the long - legged buzzard . all in all , 74 plant , 18 mammal , 26 reptile , 140 bird and 300 insect species have been identified in the ddcr .
a very few survive in the negev highlands and the judean desert while in the arabian peninsula leopards are known from just one location in oman and one in yemen . the largest established subpopulation lives in the dhofar mountains of southern oman . camera trapping has confirmed presence of 17 adult leopards since 1997 in the jabal samhan nature reserve . presence of 9–11 leopards in the mountains that run west of the reserve to the yemen border has also been confirmed .
these leopards prefer and occupy remote and rugged high - mountain areas , which provide vantage points as well as security . arabian leopards , in the dry and parched terrain of their habitat , need large territories in order to find enough food and water to survive . like in other subspecies here also territories of males usually overlap those of one or more females , and are fiercely defended against intruding males , although spatial overlap between male ranges is common .
the arabian caracal primarily feeds on rodents and birds , but will also take small desert gazelles , hares , hyraxes , reptiles , and invertebrates . though quite a capable climber , it hunts mostly on the ground . it will approach its prey in a slow stalk , after which it pounces on its prey . when hunting birds , it has the ability to jump up to two meters in the air , to swat its prey out of the sky .
switzerland : based on a systematic survey , about 220 - 1300 km 2 of the swiss jura region are occupied by about 160 - 930 wildcats ( 95 % ci , swiss wildcat monitoring 2008 - 10 , federal office of environment ) . since 1970 , wildcats have extended their range to the south - west and east of the jura ( ref . within nussberger et al . 2014 ) .
the wildcat ranges over africa , europe and central asia to india , china and mongolia . it is the most common and widely distributed wild cat species in the world . their size , coat colour and pattern vary from continent to continent . cats in drier areas tend to be pale or tawny with faint markings while those from humid areas tend to be darker and more heavily spotted or banded .
felid tag 2000 recommendation : wild cat ssp . ( felis sylvestris ) . the eurasian and african wild cat , including forms from india , the middle east and europe , is generally common in nature . gordon’s wild cat , indian desert cat , and other forms from the arabian peninsula are present in north american zoos . due to relative abundance in nature , small founder size and lack of distinct markings , this species is not recommended for support in north america .
the arabian caracal is one of the seven subspecies of caracal ( this simply means that it is a type of caracal , and in theory it should be able to reproduce with any of the other subspecies of caracal ) . caracals belongs to the caracal lineage and is therefor closely related to the serval and african golden cat . previously it had been placed in the felis and lynx genera , but molecular evidence has placed it in its own ( monophyletic ) genus .
the wildcat can live in agricultural or cultivated landscapes dominated by humans if enough rodents are available . however , such habitats are also where hybridization takes place and spreads . therefore , it is important to identify genetically pure african wildcats and assure their protection to prevent hybridization or disease spread from domestic cats . the difference between wild and domestic cats is however complicated and difficult to assess , particularly in the field .
hunting of the arabian caracal is prohibited in afghanistan , egypt , india , iran , israel , jordan , lebanon , pakistan , syria , turkey , and turkmenistan . from my personal observations in yemen , where truth be told no hunting restrictions exist , it would not have mattered if they had . if a local would have seen one of the animals , he would have most likely tried to shoot it since they were perceived to be a threat to their livestock .
the african wildcat is also a bit larger and stockier than its tame descendants , and is basically a pale striped tabby . its ground color varies from sandy through yellow - gray to grayish - brown and dark gray . there are 2 color phases reported , one is grayish - tan and the other is steel gray . the darker ground color is found in the forests , while the lighter color is found in the more arid regions .
is also known as gordon ' s wildcat . although this animal bears a strong resemblance to the common tabby cat it has three distinguishing characteristics . the backs of their short , pointy ears are rusty brown with a black tip . the tail has three distinct black bands around the tip and there are also black bands in the axis of the forelegs . the most noteworthy is that the pads of the feet are covered in fine black hair .
i obtained a bsc in biological sciences from the university of birmingham in 1998 . following my degree , i spent three years working for the centre for hydrology and ecology , in oxford , on genetically modified bacteria . in 1999 , i took a three month break from laboratory work to join a raleigh international expedition to oman where i was part of a variety of projects , one of which involved surveying for the endangered arabian leopard . in 2002 i obtained an msc in biodiversity and conservation from university of leeds .
anytime before i go into the field i research the species i am intending to photograph intensively . sometimes , the information available isn’t very extensive . this is often because the species is very elusive ( which is also why i am sent in to photograph them using camera traps ) or simply has not been studied much . this is the case for the arabian caracal , which was one of the species i was looking for when i went to yemen . i mean , it doesn’t even have its own wikipedia page .
nearly extinct in the wild , gordon’s wildcats are one of the most endangered subspecies of the wildcat . in 1986 , a breeding program was initiated in abu dhabi , with a captive male and a wild caught female . owners of this colony became concerned that the entire subspecies could be wiped out by a catastrophe and sought to establish breeding programs in other areas , sending cats to germany and california . an international studbook is maintained by cologne zoo in germany .
the african wildcat felis lybica is the size of a large housecat . they have longer legs than the domestic cat , giving them a more upright posture in the sitting position and a different walking form . the background color of its coat ranges from reddish to sandy yellow to tawny brown to grey , and is typically marked with faint tabby stripes and spots . hairs have black tips giving a speckled appearance , and their legs are banded with black bars . a characteristic feature of this group is a reddish or rusty - brown tint to the backs of the ears . the long , thin tail ends with 2 or 3 black rings and a black tip . there is a line of darker fur down the spine from the shoulder to the base of the tail . paw pads are black like those of the black - footed cat . the african species distinguishes itself from the european wildcat by its lighter build , less distinct markings and thin tapering tail .
hybridization with domestic cats is considered the main threat to the african wildcat . evidence of such hybridization has been found in southern and northern africa . hybridization may have been taking place over a long period of time , and it is possible that nowadays very few genetically pure african wildcats exist . pure genetic populations may only persist in protected areas far from human settlements . feral domestic cats also compete with wildcats for prey and habitat and wildcats can suffer from disease transmitted by domestic cats .
hybridization with domestic cats is considered the main threat to the wildcat . evidence of such cross - breeding has been found in southern and northern africa . hybridization may have been taking place over a long period of time , and it is possible that very few genetically pure african wildcats still exist . pure genetic populations may only persist in protected areas far from human settlements . feral domestic cats compete with wildcats for prey and habitat . wildcats can also suffer from diseases transmitted by domestic cats .
misc : the african wildcat is the ancestor of the domestic cat . this species of cat is widely distributed and has a wide variety of coat colors to help it blend into its environment . because of that , thewildcat was originally classified as 3 distinct species , but today they are referred to as one race with 3 subspecies . one other subspecies , f . s . grampia of scotland , is no longer considered a separate subspecies but a member of f . s . silvestris , although some authors will make reference to it .
the range of this wildcat subspecies , encompassing the sultanate of oman and some areas in the united arab emirates ( uae ) is small and it can easily go extinct . it can also be considered an endangered subspecies for its liability to hybridize with feral domestic cats . only a few purebred specimens may be left and hybrids , sometimes found hundreds of kilometres away from either water or the nearest bedouin encampment , are difficult to detect . gordon’s wildcats are also directly prosecuted by bedouin and their habitat disturbed and altered through increasing development of the desert .
this is a solitary species but can form temporary large groups comprised of a female with her offspring from several consecutive litters . it is mainly nocturnal , especially in very hot environments or in proximity to settled areas but it can also be active in early mornings or late afternoons . it hunts primarily on the ground but it is an excellent climber . it gets its prey by stalking followed by a quick attack . since the wildcat depends mainly on rodents , which undergo large cyclic changes in populations , it must be able to frequently produce large litters to withstand these prey base fluctuations .
960509 - n - 8745s - 001 / jpeg underway in the arabian sea . . . . aviation structural mechanic ( structures ) 3rd class kevin killworth of newark , ohio , climbs down a ladder after resetting an arresting gear handle in the cockpit of an f / a - 18c ' hornet ' parked on the flight deck of aircraft carrier uss george washington ( cvn 73 ) . ams3 killworth is attached to the ' wildcats ' of strike fighter squadron one three one . u . s . navy photo by photographer ' s mate 1st class ( air warfare ) philip st . gelais . ( released ) 960509 - n - 8745s - 001 f - a - 18 on flight deck
the local rangers , working for oman ' s office for conservation , accompanied us on most of our surveys into the deep , dry canyons of dhofar , in south - western oman . these limestone wadis and their surrounding mountain ridges spend most of the year devoid of water , but from july to september they have their own monsoon , the khareef . during those few months , the desert turns a lush green and comes to life with wildlife . the area ' s unique ecology supports the largest population of the endangered arabian leopard , and we were on a surveying expedition with the british exploring society ( part of the rgs ) in dhofar , to look for signs of their existence .
head and face : the animal ' s face , often striped , has a white mouth , grayish green eyes , and large rust - colored and black - tipped ears . its teeth , which include pointed canines , sharp molars and small incisors , are designed for seizing and killing its prey and for ripping and tearing the flesh . its tongue has thousands of tiny rough sandpaper - like mounds on the surface to facilitate licking and self grooming . its mouth , at the top , has a jacobson ' s organ . this enhances its sense of smell , particularly of pheromones , helping it to communicate with other arabian wildcats . thick facial hairs , called
whiskers ,
help the cat
feel
its location and proximate objects in tight dark quarters .
the united arab emirates , and dubai in particular , is well known for its rapid development over the past 40 years as well as for the mega - construction projects such as the palm islands and the burj khalifa ( the world’s tallest building ) . less well known is the diversity and beauty of the natural environment , from the dugongs and corals in the arabian sea , the flamingos in the khors ( inlets ) of the coastline , the rugged hajar mountain range , to the serene splendour of the sandy dune inland desert . also little known is that the largest piece of land given to any single project in dubai was for the establishment of the dubai desert conservation reserve ; at 225 km² , 4 . 7 % of dubai’s total land area , and the expedition’s study site .
the gordon’s wildcat is the same size as your domestic cat . the background colour of its coat ranges from reddish to sandy yellow to tawny brown to grey , and is typically marked with faint tabby stripes and spots . a characteristic feature is a reddish or rusty - brown tint to the backs of the ears , and three black rings on the tail , which ends in a black tip . there are also black stripes on the inner foreleg and the soles of the feet are also black . their preferred habitat is the vegetated dunes , gravel plains and mountains , in which they hunt a mainly carnivorous diet at night . they can live up to 15 years . weight around 4 - 5kg .


the black roughneck monitor lizard , varanus rudicollis , is a species of monitor lizard found in southeast asian countries of thailand , burma , and malaysia .

it is also found in indonesia on sumatra and islands of the riau archipelago it is sometimes known simply as the roughneck monitor lizard.in thailand is called h̄èā cĥāng ( thai : เห่าช้าง ; " elephant bark " ) , is believed to be toxic animals .

can bite human to death .

the habitat of varanus rudicollis is limited to primary and secondary rainforest and mangrove swamps .

in the wild the black roughneck monitor is very rarely seen , but whether this is because of its rarity or its very secretive behavior is uncertain .

they are often kept successfully in captivity , but have a shy disposition .

roughneck monitor lizard

rescue workers took more than 20 minutes to snare the roughneck monitor lizard at a resort in nai yang . photo : eakkapop thongtub
rescue workers took more than 20 minutes to snare the roughneck monitor lizard at a resort in nai yang . photo : eakkapop thongtub
the first - responders soon arrived and took more than 20 minutes to catch the reptile , which was later properly identified as a roughneck monitor lizard .
rarely observed in captivity , but mainly because so few hobbyists keep this species of monitor lizard .
below is a black roughneck monitor care sheet i wrote based on my fairly extensive experience with this amazing monitor lizard . i have consistently found the demeanor of this species to be amongst the most gentle of all reptiles .
phuket : the chief of phuket’s key wildlife preservation centre has called for tourists to keep clear of monitor lizards and to call for help after a roughneck monitor lizard was found roaming the grounds of a phuket resort yesterday ( april 10 ) .
in tamil and malayalam , monitor lizards are known as
udumbu
and in australia , they are known as goannas . in kannada , monitor lizards are known as
uda .
in sinhalese the monitor lizard is known as
kabaragoya .
black roughneck monitors are not ruthless killing machines like the argus monitor or bottomless pits like the savannah monitor . if properly cared for , and given enough heat , they will have strong appetites , but not
bennett , daniel 1993 . a review of some literature concerning the rough - necked monitor lizard varanus rudicollis . reptilian 1 ( 9 ) : 7 - 10
common group : monitors & tegus common name : dumeril ' s monitor , brown roughneck monitor , black roughneck monitor scientific name : varanus dumerilli , varanus rudicollis distribution : southeast asia , including thailand , malaysia , borneo , and sumatra size : 3 . 5 ' - 4 . 5 ' for v . dumerilli , 4 ' - 5 ' for v . rudicollis
the lizard reacted fiercely , with rescue workers apprehensive to get close to it in order to snare it .
monitor lizards produce by sexual reproduction ; however , some monitor lizards are apparently capable of parthenogenesis ( smith 2006 ) .
lowpoly model of a monitor lizard , perfect for game usage . textures base , gloss and bump in 1024 size are included . skinned to a simple rig , no ik .
the bengal monitor lizard , also known as the common indian monitor lizard , is found in asia and africa . it is widely said to have been used to scale the fort of kondana in pune , india , by tanaji malusare , a general in the army of the maratha ruler shivaji . the skin of this lizard has traditionally been utilized in making the kanjira , a south indian classical percussion instrument . now however , it is not in vogue owing to the increased awareness to the dwindling population of the lizard . the lizard evokes mixed responses from the people across the world . it is considered a delicacy in sri lanka . it is killed for sport in north eastern india . it is revered in maharashtra , india where an entire clan of people use
ghorpade
as their surname after
ghorpad ,
the local name for the bengal monitor lizard ( bennett 1995 ) .
the plea for sensible precautions follows kusoldharm rescue workers being called to a resort in nai yang at 5 : 30pm yesterday after staff there spotted a monitor lizard climbing a hotel wall .
is no more harmful than a regular monitor lizard , but when feeling threatened it can flare the scales on its neck much like a cobra and hiss loudly , ” mr piyawat explained .
the lizard , once in hand , was handed over to srisoonthorn rescue workers , who delivered the four - kilogram monitor to the the khao phra thaeo non - hunting area office in thalang .
bayless , mark k . 1997 . the rough - neck monitor lizard ( varanus rudicollis ) . bull . chicago herp . soc . 32 ( 12 ) : 250 - 252 - get paper here
black roughneck monitors can attain a total length of approximately 60 inches ( five feet ) , although this size is rarely seen .
the name ,
monitor ,
is also used for a species in different , but closely related , family , the earless monitor ( lanthanotus borneensis ) in lanthanotidae , a semi - aquatic , brown lizard from borneo . this article will be restricted to discussion of the varanids ( varanidae ) .
our pet - owners ' guide to savannah monitor lizard is the first ever written by people who have studied the animals in the wild and bred them in captivity . there are at least seven books in print about the savannah monitor , but we think this is the only one worth reading ! last few available
) are one of my absolute favorite monitors . their gentle and curious temperament , coupled with their unique appearance , makes them a fascinating captive lizard .
an extinct giant monitor lizard from quaternary deposits in australia , which died out roughly 20 , 000 years ago , reached an enormous length of seven meters and a weight of 600 kilograms ( ast 2003 ) . it had two centimeter , curved serrated teeth ( ast 2003 ) . this lizard was originally placed in the varanid genus megalania as m . prisca , although some place it in varanus as v . priscus .
access to a water bowl that is large enough for the roughneck to soak in is suggested . misting the enclosure 3 - 4 times daily is also recommended .
bennett , d . 1995 . a little book of monitor lizards : a guide to the monitor lizards of the world and their care in captivity . aberdeen : viper press . isbn 095266321x .
in addition to being fascinating and hardy captives , roughneck monitors are relatively easy to handle . with calm , confident handling on a regular ( but not necessarily frequent ) basis , these monitors learn to tolerate and even enjoy human interaction . they do grow long , sharp claws , and an occasional trim may help make handling more comfortable for lizard and owner alike .
rough - necked monitors rarely become tame and show a healthy dislike of humanity . in turn people often fear the lizard . according to nutphand the species is often known as ngu - hao - chang ( cobra elephant ) in thailand and are often attributed with the ability to spit venom . in malaysia they are known as biawak serunai ( flute monitor ) and on borneo as biawak punggur ( rotting tree monitor ) .
monitor lizard , or monitor , is the common name for any of the old world lizards comprising the varanidae family , which contains only one extant genus , varanus , whose members are characterized by a generally elongate neck , a heavy body , long - forked tongues , and long , non - autonomous tails . while some monitor lizards are small , the genus also contains some very large extant lizards , including the largest living lizard , the komodo dragon , which reaches three meters in length and 54 kilograms in weight and can even feed on large mammals , like deer , pigs , and buffalo ( ast 2003 ) . one fossil species from about 20 , 000 years ago reached seven meters in length and 600 kilograms . monitor lizards today are found in a vast area in the old world , including africa , asia , oceania , and australia .
de lisle , h . f . 1996 . natural history of monitor lizards . krieger , malabar ( florida )
lizard , so just use common sense . give them enough room to walk and climb freely , which means a fairly large cage as they approach adult size . vertical space tends to be more important to them than floor space . i ' ve discovered that black roughneck monitors will actually burrow underneath the substrate at night if given the option . one of mine created a permanent tunnel under the dirt and moss flooring .
the varanidae family is part of the infraorder anguimorpha , which also includes alligator lizards , galliwasps , legless lizards , knobby lizards , and the extinct mosasaurs , as well as the gila monster and mexican bearded lizard .
barbour , thomas 1932 . a new bornean monitor . proc . new england zool . club 13 : 1 - 2
the dumeril ' s monitor and black roughneck monitor are two closely related monitors that have been little studied in their natural habitat . even so , both species of monitors are known for their fondness for water as well as their excellent climbing abilities . these monitors spend so much time in water that their nostrils have a specially adapted scale that seals shut while the monitor is underwater , allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods of time with ease . the two species have similar care requirements , and they are often confused . the black roughneck has a slenderer snout and spinier neck scales than the dumeril ' s , as well as being black while the dumeril ' s is brown . one of the biggest differences between the two would be what the monitors are thought to eat in the wild - the dumeril ' s could be considered a specialized crab eater , while the black roughneck is thought to eat mainly insects . both monitors dine readily on a variety of prey items when properly maintained in captivity . dumeril ' s monitors hatch out of their eggs with brilliant orange heads and deep black bodies , but these intense markings fade quickly , often within just a few weeks . black roughneck monitors also hatch out with interesting patterns , but they fade as well as the monitor matures . due to the secretive nature of both species , they can be seasonally difficult to come by , especially as babies .
the roughneck monitor inhabits the rainforest of southern thailand and myanmar ( burma ) , peninsular malaysia , the islands of the riau archipelago , borneo , sumatra and bangka . in the wild , the roughneck monitor is shy , but during the rainy season their activity level increases , making them more visible . varanus rudicollis has been found all the way into what is considered northern thailand , specifically the umphang district , tak province . although they have been found in rainforest and even oil palm plantations , they are most closely associated with primary forests ( rainforests included but there are many forest types in the tropics - rainforests being just one type ) and peat swamps , where they have been found most often .
no black roughneck monitor care sheet would be complete without an apt description of their unique behavior . these are generally not aggressive monitor lizards . i ' ve kept a number of them over the years , and have never witnessed a bite attempt , or even a tail - whip . the most aggression i ' ve ever witnessed in a black roughneck was with one freshly imported 24
juvenile . he puffed - up whenever i had to move him , but still no biting or tail - whipping . their main defense mechanism seems to be running away , or going
cryptic ,
which means they shut their eyes and essentially hope you don ' t see them . if you ' re curious , read my article on
care must be given to allow the monitor plenty of time to acclimate before any attempts at developing an owner - monitor bond can really begin . once the monitor shows a healthy appetite and eats readily , and does so regularly , start handling it for just a few minutes at a time daily . if the monitor continues to eat and does not spend the time immediately after handling buried beneath the substrate , avoiding you at all costs , increase the handling time slowly but surely , until the monitor does not mind being out for extended periods of time . always be sure to read your monitor ' s behavior : if it hides and does not move for days on end after being handled , decrease handling time and frequency . with patience , eventually these monitors can and will become tame .
mangrove monitor ( v . indicus ) , which is 1 . 5m long and semi - aquatic . they are rarely fully tameable .
dumeril ' s monitors , sometimes called the grey roughneck monitor ( v . dumerilii heterophilis and v . d . dumerilli ) , grow to 1 . 2m . they are arboreal with long claws , a rainforest species , and require relatively high humidity and temperatures of 29 - 35ºc during the day and about 23ºc at night . they require large enclosures and pools for soaking .
our to four - and - a - half feet is much more common . they are not heavy - bodied monitor lizards , but are actually fairly slender in physique when compared to something massive like a black throat monitor . hatchlings are approximately 10 inches in total length .
the nile monitor is distributed across most of africa , except the north - west . usually found in association with bodies of fresh water .
baby and juvenile black roughneck monitors are primarily black in color , with a peppering of bright yellow , and sometimes even blue , spots and bands . as they mature , the stark colors gradually disappear . adults are almost entirely black , with some greyish coloring reminiscent of their juvenile patterning . black roughneck monitors have two very unique physical traits : 1 . ) the pointed , pyramid - esque scales on the back of their necks ( therein lies the origin of their common name ) and 2 . ) their very bird - like heads .
hailing from southeastern asia , black roughneck monitors are generally docile lizards who rarely show signs of aggression ( when it comes to fight or flight , they choose the latter ) . they attain a moderate adult length ( four to five feet ) , and are not overly massive in stature . these lizards are more outgoing than the dumeril ' s monitor , as they do not spend nearly as much time hiding . copyright 2011 - urltoken
roughnecks will breed in captivity , though there could be difficulty . as of 2006 , there have only been 21 documented clutches in captivity ever , with tracy caron and dale mcginnty ( tennessee zoo ) being the only ones to have had great success . ( source : m . k . bayless unpublished manuscript . a survey and checklist of the roughneck monitor , varanus rudicollis gray , 1845 ( sauria : varanidae ) of indo - malaysia and thailand )
use these links to find recent scientific publications via cab abstracts ( log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation ) . monitor lizards ( varanus spp . ) publications
the discovery of venom in monitor lizards , as well as in agamid lizards , has led to the toxicofera hypothesis : that all venomous reptiles share a common venomous ancestor .
hamilton , r . 2012 . first record of the rough - necked monitor varanus rudicollis from penang , malaysia . biawak 6 ( 2 ) : 78 - get paper here
dumeril ' s monitors regularly grow to at least 3 feet long , some as great as 4 feet , while the largest dumeril ' s on record was 5 feet long - including its 36 inch tail . black roughneck monitors regularly grow over 4 feet long , with some individuals as long as 5 feet or more . it generally takes at least 2 - 3 years for monitors to begin to approach their full adult length , and older adult animals can be expected to be larger than young adult animals . roughneck monitors of both species are relatively dainty lizards with slender bodies and long tails . with proper care , either of the roughneck monitors can be expected to live at least 10 years , with 15 or 20 years not an uncommon average . these monitors are not commonly kept , though , and their scarcity combined with misinformation and improper husbandry resulting in early death leads to little information being known about exactly how long these monitors can live for .
roughneck monitors are tropical animals and as such should be kept in a humid environment with ready access to a large bowl full of fresh , clean water . these monitors will dig and bury themselves in their substrate , and the use of one of many pulverized coconut husk beddings or similar substrate is highly recommended . making the substrate layer thick and moist will aid in keeping your monitor hydrated and shedding properly . in addition , a thick cover of sphagnum moss is highly appreciated and utilized as a hiding area . in the wild , these monitors are extremely secretive , and if care is given to allow them their privacy in captivity , they will feel much more secure and be out more than if they feel they have inadequate hiding areas . there are a variety of ways to provide hiding spots , which include cork bark stacks , half logs , flat pieces of wood , thick layers of bedding and moss , caves , and lots of cover in the form of fake plants . a monitor ' s need to hide and stay warm can be duly accomplished in the form of providing a stack of cork bark or wood underneath the basking light , with the highest level being a few inches away and the hottest spot in the cage , and the lower levels being significantly cooler . live plants can be attempted in the cooler parts of the cage , but the monitor ' s curious nature and love of digging will usually result in the plants ' demise . fake plants are easier to keep clean and will withstand the strains that a monitor is likely to put on them . the key to success in a monitor ' s cage is to offer the lizard as many choices as possible . the more options the monitor has to utilize for thermoregulating , hiding , or basking , the better it will do .
roughneck ' s diet consists of mostly insects , but they will also feed on small prey . insects can include : crickets , mealworms , wax worms , silkworms , super worms , roaches and butter worms . whole prey can consist of appropriate sized rodents , quail , fresh water crabs and shrimp , frogs and ground turkey with egg .
the roughneck is considered to be a medium to large monitor . reaching an average adult size of 3 - 4 feet although there have been some reports of the breed reaching lengths of 5 feet . hatchlings are normally 9 - 10 inches ( 25 cm ) in length and weigh from 20 - 25 grams . the size given for hatchlings ( 25cm ) is twice the size of hatchlings of varanus rudicollis , which is between 10 . 0 - 12 + cm ( slightly over in mm ) . - - source : dale mcginnty personal comments
roughneck monitors are not among the largest monitors ever , but they do require suitable space to move around and thermoregulate . a single hatchling can be temporarily kept in a 20 or 30 gallon glass aquarium , but in order to provide optimum temperatures for digestion and growth , an enclosure that is at least 36
by 16
by 16
is ideal to begin with . once the baby reaches about 16
, it ' s time to upgrade to a larger enclosure . a single adult roughneck will do well in an enclosure that is at least 6 ' by 2 ' by 2 ' , but if more space can be provided , it will be greatly appreciated by the inhabitant . a deeper enclosure that allows space to put in substrate for burrowing is ideal . it is recommended to house your monitors individually , as in a group the dominant animals often refuse to let the subordinate ones eat . roughneck monitors of either gender have been known to combat in captivity , and as a result , communal housing is best left to experienced monitor keepers . remember that monitors are smart , inquisitive , and powerful animals . ensure that your cage is escape proof , and if there is ever a question on the size of the cage , bigger is always better !
monitor lizards typically are diurnal and almost all monitor lizards are carnivorous ; however , they have diverse feeding behaviors , with not all species fully carnivorous predators . diets of various species of monitor lizards include fruit , invertebrates , mammals , birds , fish , and carrion . the gray ' s monitor ( varanus olivaceus ) eats mollusks , but also eats fruit and displays foraging type behavior ( ast 2003 ) . the komodo dragon ( varanus komodoensis ) will eat large mammals , such as deer and buffalo , utilizing a sit - and - wait or stealthy approach until the prey can be ambushed ( ast 2003 ) . komodo dragons also eat invertebrates , birds , and small mammals , but their main food source is carrion , which other large monitor lizards are known to eat as well ( mattison 1992 ) . komodo dragons can locate a dead or dying animal from a range of up to 9 . 5 kilometers ( 6 miles ) ( darling and darling - lyon 1997 ) . komodo dragons also have been observed knocking down large pigs and deer with their strong tail ( attenborough 2008 ) . monitor lizards are also known to capture and eat small monkeys , fish , squirrels , and crabs .
roughnecks require high humidity levels between 70 and 90 % . the use of a water source that is big enough for the monitor to lie in will assist in keeping the humidity at the proper requirements .
there is no visible difference between the male and female roughneck monitors , which makes sexing them very difficult . hatchling roughnecks have bands of yellow and orange . these bands disappear with age . adult roughnecks will be darker in color with recognizable pointed scales on the backs of their necks . adults from thailand and malaysia are often almost completely black , but adults from borneo and sumatra may be brighter in color .
the genus name ,
varanus
is derived from the arabic word waral ورل , which is translated to english as
monitor .
it has been suggested that the occasional habit of varanids to stand on their two hind legs and to appear to
monitor
their surroundings led to the original arabic name ( pianka et al . 2004 ) . according to legend , these lizards were supposed to warn people that crocodiles were nearby ( pianka 2004 ) .
can i ask what info you have to back this up ? there are lots of breeders of monitors who dont use uv sources with no detrimental effects , such as proexotics , one of the most recommended monitor sites in the u . s .
small juveniles should be housed in at least a 90 litre vivarium . due to their large size , adults will require custom - built quarters . pine shavings , aspen bedding , or orchid bark can be used as a substrate . landscape with rocks , driftwood , or hollow logs . a water dish large enough for the lizard to soak in should be used . nile monitors have a tendency to defecate in the water dish so clean it whenever soiled or at least daily .
bucklitsch , yannick ; wolfgang böhme , andré koch 2016 . scale morphology and micro - structure of monitor lizards ( squamata : varanidae : varanus spp . ) and their allies : implications for systematics , ecology , and conservation . zootaxa 4153 ( 1 ) : 001–192
monitors also have become a staple in the reptile pet trade . the most commonly kept monitors are the savannah monitor , white throated monitor , and acklin ' s monitor , due to their relatively small size and ease of domestication . nile monitors , water monitors , mangrove monitors , and papau monitors have also been kept in captivity . like all reptiles that are kept as pets , monitors need hiding places , and an appropriate substrate ( bedding ) . monitors also need a large water dish in which they can soak their entire body . in the wild , monitors will eat anything they can overpower , but crickets , superworms , and the occasional rodent make up most of the captive monitors ' diet . boiled eggs , silkworms , earthworms , and feeder fish can also be fed to monitors . monitor lizards have been compared to
reptilian cats
—independent animals with different personalities . however , due to their predatory nature and large size , some monitors can be dangerous to keep as pets . adult nile monitors can reach seven feet in length , and are stronger than an alligator of equal weight .
monitor lizards tend to be robust , diurnal lizards , with elongate necks and non - autotomous tails ( ast 2003 ) . they have long , forked tongues , which are used for chemorecption , and their hemipenes are unusually ornate , with paired apical horns ( ast 2003 ) .
nile monitors are carnivores . in captivity , they can be fed crickets , mealworms , kingworms , waxworms , butterworms , rodents , and fish . the monitors may occasionally be fed cooked eggs , canned dog or monitor food , or raw beef heart . they should receive supplements .
roughnecks are both a terrestrial ( ground dwellers ) and arboreal ( tree dwellers ) species . they hunt for food on the ground but spend most of their time in the canopy of trees so you need to provide both areas in your enclosure . when designing your canopy , make sure you include heavy foliage . make sure you include many different spots for hiding in your foliage . adding different levels in your enclosure can also do this . hatchings can be housed in a 29 - gallon enclosure . remember taller is preferred . a juvenile can be housed in a 55 - gallon enclosure . due to their fast growth rate , adults should be housed in a larger enclosure , the bigger the better . the minimum size for an adult should be 6 ' x 4 ' x 3 1 / 2 ' . remember to make sure you have a secure top on the enclosure at all times , to prevent escapes . roughneck monitors enjoy swimming , so it is recommended that a pond or large area be provided for swimming . this area should be easy to clean , as roughneck ' s have been known to defecate in their swimming area . the swimming or soak is an excellent way to assist your monitor with hydration . water temperature should be heated to around 85 degrees .
a variety of substrates can be used in the bottom of your enclosure including : peat moss , cypress mulch , coconut bark and topsoil . cypress mulch or coconut bark is recommended as they hold moisture and will help to maintain your humidity level . please note when using a loose substrate such as mulch , bark , moss or topsoil ; consider feeding your roughneck in a separate container to prevent ingestion of the substrate . * * * ingestion of substrate is not a concern in a well hydrated specimen .
monitors do not adapt to captivity well since they may require specialised diet and husbandry . the larger ones can be very dangerous . the giant species ( nile monitors ( v . niloticus niloticus and v . n . ornatus ) , salvador or crocodile monitor ( v . salvadorii ) and the water or asian water monitor ( v . salvator ) need very large enclosures and have powerful crushing jaws and bites can result in very serious injuries . adapting to captivity varies between species but most specimens are wild caught and mortality can be high . there is very little breeding achieved outside zoos and wildlife parks .
the nile monitor grows to 2 . 1m , but averages 1 . 5 - 1 . 8m . it has a very aggressive temperament with a powerful bite and a lashing tail . the muscular limbs terminate in stout , sharp claws capable of ripping open sun - baked termite mounds in the wild .
. i ' ve also found that they are very inquisitive lizards . here ' s an example : i had a fantastic blue - mottled juvenile that , if i placed my hand in front of him , would climb up my arm to my shoulder . i would then put my other hand in front of him , he would climb on it , and i ' d place him on top of his large wooden cage top . he would then walk back across the cage top to my hand , crawl up my arm to my shoulder again , and i ' d use my other hand to place him back on the cage top once more . and repeat . i discovered that he would do this for as long as i would engage him . my newest black roughneck monitor , a hatchling , does essentially the same thing .
online at absolute rock - bottom prices , which means we make these fascinating animals available to you affordably as pets , or even to start your own reptile breeding project . we are reptile enthusiasts who believe captive breeding is integral to the future of the market , as it not only helps protect wild herp populations , but is an incredibly rewarding experience that tends to intensify one ' s passion for these amazing prehistoric creatures . whether you buy a snake , lizard , turtle , tortoise , or alligator , we are driven to provide the highest quality live reptiles for sale .
biology and medicine of monitor lizards . mitchell , m . a . ; the north american veterinary conference , gainesville , usa , small animal and exotics . proceedings of the north american veterinary conference , volume 21 , orlando , florida , usa , 2007 , 2007 , pp 1598 - 1600 - full text article
monitor lizards are important to food chains in their various terrestrial and aquatic ( including marine ) habitats , both as predator and prey . they consume a wide variety of invertebrates and vertebrates , including carrion and even fruit in the case of some varanids . for humans , monitor lizards are important in various cultures for art , folklore , and a source of food , leather , and folk medicine . thus , as with other taxa , varanids not only advance a function for the individual ( survival , reproduction , self - maintenance of the species ) , but also provide a function for the whole ( ecosystem , humans ) .
roughneck monitors are from the tropical forests of southeast asia , and should be provided with the heat and humidity commonly found in their native habitat . ambient temperatures within the monitor ' s cage can range from the 80 ' s on the warm side of the enclosure to the low 70 ' s on the cool side . it is vital for the monitor to have a warm basking spot to properly digest its food . if at all possible , in a large cage ( 6 ' or greater ) the basking site should be around 130 degrees . in smaller cages , a basking site of 100 will usually suffice , but these monitors will do better if given a wide range of temperatures to choose from . at night , temperatures can safely drop into the mid 70 ' s . if needed , temperatures can be increased using ceramic heat emitters , heat pads , red lights , or black lights . during the day , basking or halogen bulbs should be utilized to create suitable temperatures and plenty of bright light . there are a wide range of opinions on the necessity of uvb or full spectrum lighting when housing monitor lizards . while some very experienced keepers have had success without uvb lighting , for the beginner or even moderately experienced keeper , full spectrum lighting is highly recommended . uvb , calcium supplements , and a varied diet containing lots of whole prey items is the ideal way to ensure that your monitor has strong bones and remains healthy and active for its entire life . in larger enclosures , a self - ballasted mercury vapor bulb can be used both as a source of heat and as a source of uvb . these lights have been shown to be extremely effective and are highly recommended in cages that have enough space for the heat to dissipate . in smaller enclosures , a combination of fluorescent uvb light and basking lights is suitable .
can i ask what info you have to back this up ? there are lots of breeders of monitors who dont use uv sources with no detrimental effects , such as proexotics , one of the most recommended monitor sites in the u . s . im not arguing by the way , its just monitors can and are being kept very successfully without uv . i have used uv and have also not used uv with monitors and have found no difference in appetite etc . i personally think as long as the monitor is properly hydrated , a proper basking temperature is achieved and is fed a healthy varied diet then you will have no problems , uv or no uv .
ones . let them eat until they are full . they tend to use their front claws to tear apart food items , especially when the prey is too large to swallow whole . i personally think this also makes digestion somewhat easier . as babies , they feast upon crickets and small roaches , but don ' t seem to appreciate superworms and waxworms with quite as much gusto . as they grow , they will readily accept mice , and eventually even chicks . try to keep their diet somewhat varied , rather than an entirely rodent - based menu . if nothing else , it probably keeps things a little more interesting for the lizard
koch a , ziegler t , böhme w , arida e , auliya m . 2013 . pressing problems : distribution , threats , and conservation status of the monitor lizards ( varanidae : varanus spp . ) of southeast asia and the indo - australian archipelago . herp . cons . biol . 8 ( monograph 3 ) : 1 − 62 . - get paper here
the black rough - necked monitor ( v . rudicolli ) may be easily tamed , relative to other monitors , but they have a low survival rate in captivity . they grow to about 1 . 2m , are arboreal , like to soak and are social ( two may be better than one ) . like all tree monitors , they have very long claws .
lizards and will pay dividends . indonesia has an average relative humidity of between 72 % and 86 % . this gives you a general idea of how humid it can be within their natural habitat . misting the cage regularly , along with a fairly substantial water bowl ( and no full screen top ) , should get you into their preferred humidity range . i ' ve found that even 60 % humidity isn ' t quite enough for black roughneck monitors ( note : if you see them soaking in their water dish , your cage is not humid enough ) . substantial air flow is your enemy , as it dries out the enclosure . tip : using a dirt substrate with some depth helps
the green tree monitor ( v . prasinus ) also requires specialised diet and husbandry . they grow to about 0 . 75m , are arboreal , spend most of their time in the high canopy in the vine , monsoon , palm , rain and mangrove forests , require high humidity , have a prehensile tail , feed mostly on arthropods , lizards and small birds , and require a lot of space .
a basking spot reaching graduated highs of 130f to 150f should give these lizards the temperature they need to efficiently digest their food and maintain a strong immune system . use a temp gun to make sure . make sure the cage has a gradient of temperatures , giving the monitor an opportunity to choose whether it wants to bask in hot temperatures , or cool itself down . basically , this is a must for
im not arguing by the way , its just monitors can and are being kept very successfully without uv . i have used uv and have also not used uv with monitors and have found no difference in appetite etc . i personally think as long as the monitor is properly hydrated , a proper basking temperature is achieved and is fed a healthy varied diet then you will have no problems , uv or no uv .
these monitors absolutely adore water , and will spend large amounts of time soaking in their water bowls , either with their chin resting on the rim or with their heads completely submerged . because they spend so much time in their water , it is imperative that the bowl be kept clean to prevent disease and skin infections . in large enclosures , multiple water bowls can be utilized to provide water of varying temperatures and to increase the humidity in the cage . this is one area of difference between the two monitors ; dumeril ' s monitors spend hours a day reclining in their water , while the black roughneck will typically only venture in for a quick dip . these monitors are from an extremely muggy and humid climate , so steps should be taken to mimic natural conditions within the cage . things that help with humidity include damp moss piled throughout the cage , ultrasonic foggers , and regular misting , either by hand or automatically with timers .
in addition to their role in food chains , serving as predators and prey ( very large monitors , like the adult komodo dragon , are apex predators ) , monitor lizards also are important to humans . in some cultures , they are represented in art , folklore , and superstitions ( ast 2003 ) . in africa , asia , and australia , monitors are eaten ( ast 2003 ) . some are commercially important for their skins , which are made into leather , and body parts may be used for folk medicine ( ast 2003 ) .
these are arboreal monitor lizards , which means they enjoy climbing . sure , they spend some time on the ground , but more often than not , you ' ll find them perched on a branch or traversing other climbable surfaces . i have one wall inside the cage entirely covered with flat cork bark , and i ' d estimate that my current
rudi
spends nearly 75 % of his time on it . he even chooses to sleep vertically once in a while ( albeit rarely ) . there is no calculation for determining minimum cage dimensions for
the rough - necked monitor is one of the most fascinating varanids . it is also among the most poorly studied of the asian species . this ancient - looking creature , very aptly described by georg horn as reminiscent of
a black knight from the middle ages
, is very rarely seen in the wild , but whether this is on account of its rarity or because it is very secretive is not certain . the rough - necked monitor inhabits southern thailand and myanmar ( burma ) , peninsular malaysia , the islands of the riau archipelago , borneo , sumatra and bangka . there are no definite reports of this species from kampuchea , laos or vietnam , but traders claim to have received animals from central and northern thailand and suggest that they may occur in neighbouring countries ( wong , pers . comm . ) . the type specimen was supposedly collected on the philippine islands but no conclusive evidence that the animals occur there has been forthcoming ( taylor 1922 ) . location data can be found in mertens ( 1950 ) , harrison & lim ( 1957 ) , brandenberg ( 1983 ) , boonratana ( 1988 ) , jasmi ( 1989 ) and bennett & lim ( in press ) .
unlike lizards in all other families , except lanthanotidae ( lanthanotus genus ) , varanids have nine cervical vertebrae , while all other lizards have eight or less ( ast 2002 ) . notably , some authors consider lanthanotidae to be a subfamily ( lanthanotinae ) of varanidae ( ast 2003 ) . monitor lizards differ greatly from other lizards in possessing a relatively high metabolic rate for reptiles and several sensory adaptations that benefit the hunting of live prey . recent research indicates that the varanid lizards , including the komodo dragon , may have very weak venom ( fry et al . 2006 ) . ( lanthanotus borneensis also is one of the few lizards to possess venom . )
this monitor is said to reach a maximum size of 180cm ( wong , pers . comm . ) but the largest specimen recorded measured 146cm tl ( 59cm svl ) and weighed just over 4kg ( harrison & lim 1957 ) . according to lekagul ( 1969 ) , in thailand they rarely exceed 100cm in length . wild specimens of about 40cm svl in malaysia weigh around 2kg ( lim , pers . comm . ) . the rough - necked monitor is easily recognised by the large pointed scales that adorn the necks of adults . the purpose of these scales is unknown , indeed , the entire natural history of this magnificent animal is shrouded in mystery . they are found only in primary and secondary rainforest and in mangrove swamps . although they are said to avoid human settlements and many life - long forest inhabitants are unaware of its presence , an adult has been found sheltering in a disused washing machine at a small camp deep in the malaysian rainforest ( bennett & lim in press ) . direct observations of this species in the wild are scarce ; ladiges ( 1939 ) encountered one in sumatra resting on a log close to the water that ran up a tree to escape him . jasmi ( 1989 ) and nutphand claim that the animals feed mainly on the ground and climb trees to escape from danger , often sheltering in tree hollows .
a healthy savannah has a good appetite . hatchlings can be started on crickets , earthworms , zoophobias and pink mice . as they increase in size change to fuzzy mice . only a small amount of high quality canned dog food can be offered on an occasional basis since too much may cause disease . rodents should ultimately be the staple food source in your monitor ' s regular diet . full - grown monitors will eat adult mice , small rats and small hamsters . savannahs will easily eat pre - killed prey . defrost and warm if feeding frozen prey . juvenile / sub - adults ( up to 1 m in length ) should be fed one to four mice twice a week . adults ( > 1 m ) can be fed twice a week , adjusted as necessary based on weight gain and amount of exercise . obesity is a common problem .
varanid lizards are considered to be intelligent , with some species showing a capacity to even count ( king and green 1999 ) . studies at the san diego zoo involving feeding of the white - throated monitor ( varanus albigularis ) various numbers of snails showed that they can distinguish numbers up to six ( king and green 1999 ; pianka 2004 ) . nile monitors ( varanus niloticus ) have been observed to cooperate when foraging ( king and green 1999 ) . one varanid lures the female crocodile away from her nest while the other opens the nest to feed on the eggs ( king and green 1999 ) . the decoy then returns to also feed on the eggs ( king and green 1999 ; pianka 2004 ) . komodo dragons at the smithsonian national zoological park in washington , d . c . , recognize their keepers and seem to have distinct personalities ( pianka 2004 ) .
the diet of this species is very poorly known . schnider ( in werner 1900 ) found only insects in a specimen from sumatra . mertens ( 1942 ) believed that ants ( and possibly termites ) formed a major part of the diet and were collected with the tongue . this is confirmed by auffenberg ( 1988 and pers . comm . ) who found termites , massive stick insects and tree centipedes in six specimens from malaysia . one examined by brandenberg ( 1983 ) had a stomach full of large cockroaches and grasshoppers and other from surat thani in thailand had a stomach full of crabs ( nabhitabhata , pers . comm . ) . five examined by losos & greene ( 1988 ) contained frogs and their eggs , spiders , scorpions , crabs , cockroaches beetles and orthopterans . the rough - necked monitor may be active throughout the year , but is most in evidence during months of heavy rainfall ( nabhitabhata , pers . comm ; bennett & lim in press )
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 transitional / / en
urltoken
southern thailand , malaysia , myanmar , the philippines , sumatra , borneo , and several peripheral islands .
in maintaining humidity . adding some leaf litter to the top of the substrate will help maintain its moisture .
45w halogen basking bulbs . uv lighting is not , in my experience , necessary for these meat - eating lizards . but , if you ' re so inclined , feel free to utilize uv lighting as well .
large roaches are relished , as are crayfish . while not recommended due to the potential transfer of internal parasites , they will absolutely
small lizards . one of mine essentially inhaled two live house geckos that i put into the cage .
$ 90 to $ 225 . almost all are wild - caught import babies ( we ' re talking 99 . 9 % ) , as captive - bred specimens are
amphibians are generally slower - moving , and have uniquely moist skin which means they are never far from a source of water . their life cycle is nothing short of incredible : they hatch in water , spend weeks or months in metamorphosis , then become either terrestrial or remain primarily water bound . some salamanders even breathe through their skin ! our live
online include frogs , toads , salamanders , and newts . some are huge , some are small , and virtually all are amazing to observe in captivity . when you buy amphibians from us , you can rest assured they are fully guaranteed to arrive alive and in great condition . why not start an amphibian breeding project today ?
reptile and amphibian food should be varied , which is why we offer an array of feeder insects for sale . it ' s always far more cost effective to buy feeder insects in bulk , which often saves up to 70 % off pet store prices . plus , the feeders are delivered right to your doorstep . we offer live crickets for sale , as well as mealworms , wax worms , nightcrawlers , and now even lizards , all at the lowest possible prices . our reptile and amphibian feeder insects and lizards include a guarantee of live arrival .
amphibians are generally slower - moving than reptiles , and have uniquely moist skin which means they are never far from a source of water . their life cycle is nothing short of incredible : they hatch in water , spend weeks or months in metamorphosis , then become either terrestrial or remain primarily water bound . some salamanders even breathe through their skin ! our live
reptile and amphibian food should be varied , which is why we offer an array of feeder insects for sale . it ' s always far more cost effective to buy feeder insects in bulk , which often saves up to 70 % off pet store prices . plus , the feeders are delivered right to your doorstep . we offer live crickets for sale , as well as dubia roaches , mealworms , wax worms , nightcrawlers , and now even lizards , all at the lowest possible prices . our reptile and amphibian feeder insects and lizards include a guarantee of live arrival .
© 2017 backwater reptiles , inc . | all rights reserved | terms | site map | privacy policy lizards for sale | snakes for sale | turtles for sale | tortoises for sale | salamanders for sale newts for sale | frogs for sale | toads for sale | tarantulas for sale | scorpions for sale alligators for sale | insects for sale | feeder insects for sale | feeder lizards for sale
just got him yesterday . i didn ' t expect him to rip apart the mouse before eating it xd
this video is no longer available because the youtube account associated with this video has been terminated .
copyright 2018 lllreptile and supply co . , inc . phone : 888 - 54 - reptile ( 888 - 547 - 3784 ) website by [ i ] motion creative
great in depth care sheet from a keeper , well thought out and well put together , the only thing i could find to add is when feeding giant mealworms ( i do personally ) gut load them on fishfood pellets for added nutritional value and i always crush the heads first befoere i tong feed them individually . definatly one of the best care sheets on v . rudicollis
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ varanus salvator bivitatus , varanus salvator ziegleri , varanus . s . togianus , varanus cumingi , v . s . macumaculatus , varanus panoptes horni , varanus niloticus , varanus rudicollis , varanus juxtindicus , varanus mertensi , varanus albigularis , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - the newest rep and aquatic outlet , massive choice and great staff with good sound no nonsense advice . urltoken