Description:
Scientific name: Varanus spenceri
Life span: 20-30 years
Spencer’s monitors are medium-sized monitor lizards that may reach a maximum length of 47 inches( 1.2m). It has a sandy brown color. Even though they may be a little smaller than the infamous and dreaded Komodo dragon, these monitors are notable for their heavy-set body and are on the stockier side of the monitor family. This gives it a bigger appearance than the majority of other medium-sized displays. It has razor-sharp claws. However, Spencer’s monitor uses its claws to dig burrows that serve as its refuge rather than to protect itself against predators.
Native Region/Habitat
Spencer’s monitor lives on the black-soil plains of north-western Queensland, stretching through the Barkly Tableland to the eastern half of the Northern Territory.
Behavior:
Spencer’s monitors are voracious feeders and opportunistic hunters. Their long, powerful tail, which is strong enough to easily knock an adult person down or out, serves as their main defensive line. They eat poisonous snakes, small animals, tiny lizards, and carrion as part of their diet. As with other monitors, very little of their prey is left behind after eating since the stomach acids of monitors are strong enough to disintegrate bone as well as flesh, fur, and feathers. When threatened, Spencer’s monitors have a special defense mechanism in which they hiss loudly and thrash their tails. In an effort to evade possible predators, the juvenile Spencer’s monitor will also try to climb bushes or overhanging rocks.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Adults need to be maintained in a big space. It is preferable to provide them something to burrow in and provide plenty of hiding. They will dig extensively; therefore you must ensure that they can’t dig out. The basking lamp placed over the ground or hidden will enable the monitor to rest in a warm environment. Rocks are helpful, but you must place them very carefully to prevent pinning or crushing the goanna. Bricks and blocks are ideal because they are flat, so nothing can wedge beneath them, and they can also store a lot of heat.
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