#Varanus mertensi

[critter-captures]

Monitor (Varanus) collection post, all taken at Dierenpark De Oliemeulen in September 2024:

Reisinger's tree monitor / Yellow tree monitor (Varanus reisingeri)

Freckled monitor (Varanus tristis orientalis)

Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator)

Mertens' water monitor (Varanus mertensi)

[herpsandbirds]

Mertens' Water Monitor (Varanus mertensi), family Varanidae, NT, Australia

photograph by stephenbolding

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

If it looks like a lizard and swims like a crocodile, it’s got to be a Merten’s water monitor. A cousin to the Komodo dragon, these reptiles are semiaquatic and can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes. Much of their time is spent swimming or basking on rocks or logs near the shore.

(Image: A Merten’s water monitor (Varanus mertensi) by Graham Winterflood via Wikipedia)

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[wenbochenphoto]

I finally saw some wild Mertens' water monitors (Varanus mertensi) in the Top End. They mainly feed on fish, which makes it easy to find them during the dry season.

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Merten’s Water Monitor - Varanus mertensi

Adelaide River, Northern Territory

Photographer: Etienne Littlefair

[animalworld]

MERTEN’S MONITOR LIZARD Varanus mertensi ©Laura Quick

Mertin's water monitor, is a species of lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to northern Australia, and is a wide-ranging, actively foraging, opportunistic predator of aquatic and riparian habitats.

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[zoology-time]

Herps from the Philly Zoo! (excluding snakes)

Tokay Gecko, Gekko gecko

Chinese Crocodile Lizard, Shinisaurus crocodilurus

Merten’s Water Monitor, Varanus mertensi

Kaiser's Spotted Newt, Neurergus kaiseri

Prehensile-tailed Skink, Corucia zebrata

Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus

Aldabra Giant Tortoise, Aldabrachelys gigantea

Beaded Lizard, Heloderma horridum

[quickwitter]

MERTEN’S MONITOR LIZARD Varanus mertensi ©Laura Quick Mertin’s water monitor, is a species of lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to northern Australia, and is a wide-ranging, actively foraging, opportunistic predator of aquatic and riparian habitats. #mertensmonitorlizard #watermonitor #monitorlizard #varanusmertensi #©lauraquick #lair #losangeleszooandbotanicalgardens #losangeleszoo #originalphotography #naturephotography #lizard #reptile #animalia https://www.instagram.com/p/B4x3uYVHk4M/?igshid=11lwtkdsd8lb6

[the-last-outpost]

Mertens’s Water Monitor (Varanus mertensi) at the Tulsa Zoo #monitorlizards https://www.instagram.com/p/CfL2Lymu9mm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=