This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2020) |
Spencer's goanna | |
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Cologne Zoological Garden | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Varanidae |
Genus: | Varanus |
Subgenus: | Varanus |
Species: | V. spenceri
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Binomial name | |
Varanus spenceri |
Spencer's goanna (Varanus spenceri), also known commonly as Spencer's monitor, is a species of Australian monitor lizard.
The specific name, spenceri, is in honour of English-Australian biologist Walter Baldwin Spencer. [2]
Spencer's goanna is found in eastern Northern Territory and northwestern Queensland, Australia. [3]
It is native to the Barkly Tableland.[ citation needed]
Spencer's goanna can grow to a total length (including tail) of up to 120 cm (47 in). Spencer's monitor is generally heavier than a similarly sized monitor of another species due to its "stockier" build. It has sharp claws which it uses for digging burrows.[ citation needed]
Spencer's goanna eats anything it can find, including highly venomous snakes, small mammals, small lizards, eggs, and carrion (dead animals), and is able to digest anything it eats.[ citation needed]
Spencer's goanna has unusual defensive behaviour, where it feigns death when threatened; the body is flattened against the ground, one hind limb is extended while all other limbs held close to the body, and the tail is contorted into a wavy shape. The head is kept up to observe the threat, feigning death until the threat has left the area. [4]
The preferred natural habitat of Spencer's goanna is grassland. [1]
Living in black soil plains with no trees, Spencer's goanna is the only Australian monitor that does not readily climb, although juvenile animals will climb given the opportunity.[ citation needed]
Clutch size of Spencer's monitor generally ranges between 11 and 30 eggs. [5]
Varanus ingrami Boulenger, 1906, is an invalid name (a junior synonym) for this species. [3]