Crocodile monitor
Common Name: Crocodile monitor
Scientific Name: Varanus salvadorii
This species is the largest lizard in New Guinea.
Crocodile monitors have long, whip-like tails which are generally well over twice as long as their head and body.
Crocodile monitors are very good climbers and spend lots of time in the trees.
Fast Facts
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Status
Least Concern
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Size
2.5m in length
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Weight
20kg
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Gestation
20 days
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Young
Females produce clutches of 4-12 eggs
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Life span
Up to 20 years
In the wild
Crocodile monitors prey on birds and mammals, and are also thought to eat eggs.
Crocodile monitors are found on the island of New Guinea, in Papua and Papua New Guinea. They live in a range of habitats including tropical rainforests and have often been seen in forests near rivers.
Male crocodile monitors fight in a ritualised way to attract females. These fights involve head weaving and wrestling. The larger a male is, the more likely he is to win. Females bury their eggs, digging holes and then filling them in so that the nests are barely visible.
Crocodile monitors have no known predators.
This species is not currently affected by any major threats, although it could face threats locally from habitat loss.
