Finsch's monitor
Finsch's monitor ("Varanus finschi" ) is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is found in New Guinea and Australia. Etymology. The specific name, "finschi", is in honor of German naturalist Friedrich Hermann Otto Finsch (1839-1917). Geographic range. Finsch's monitor was only known from Blanche Bay, Ralum, and Massawa in New Britain. Further research on the available museum specimens enlarged the range of the species, which currently includes the Bismarck Archipelago (New Ireland), New Guinea and Queensland, Australia. The specimen from Queensland lacks any fixed data on its locality, so the  exact distribution of Finsch's monitor in Northern Australia remains unknown. Pet trade. Reports of this species, "V. finschi", imported for the pet trade from the Kei Islands are erroneous and refer to similar though distinct animals that have yet to be formally described. Habitat. "Varanus finschi" is found in several habitats: mangrove forest, inland forest, fresh-cut clearings, coconut plantations, and rocky beaches. Taxonomy. "Varanus finschi" belongs to the subgenus "Euprepiosaurus" along with the closely related Ceram mangrove monitor, "Varanus (Euprepiosaurus) cerambonensis", and the peach-throated monitor, "Varanus (Euprepiosaurus) jobiensis". Description. The dorsal pattern of "Varanus finschi" adults consists  of "black ocelli, which are often arranged in irregular transverse rows - with a yellowish center on a dark grayish background." The dark head of "V. finschi" is speckled with many yellowish spots. Its tongue color is pink. Conservation status. Finsch's monitor is of Least Concern as evaluated by the IUCN.