Description:
Scientific name: Varanus timorensis
Life span: Up to 20 years
Timor monitor lizards are also called dwarf monitors because they are small-sized monitors. Their body color has a greenish-gray background with golden-yellow or sometimes blue spotting on it. The dorsal surface of the body sometimes depicts bluish color and a light yellow spot under the belly (ventral surface). The distinctive feature is its prehensile tail that makes up 2/3rd of its body length. They have a pointed nose with a clear vision and sharp teeth to capture prey. Timor monitor lizards have large and sharp claws that help them in defense and climbing tree branches. The Timor monitor lizard has an average weight between 100-350 g and reaches a maximum length of 61 cm.
Native Region/Habitat
The Timor monitor lizard is endemic to the island of Timor. They can be found in hollow branches of trees and can easily camouflage into their surrounding habitats.
Behavior:
Timor monitor lizard is diurnal and semi-arboreal in nature. They spend an active lifestyle and will also readily use rough branches, however, they frequently act quiet and timid around people. Their breeding time is between December- March. Their females lay about 10- 11 eggs in the form of a clutch. Incubation time for the clutch is about 3-4 months which depends on their environmental temperature. Hatchlings of Timor monitors are 5 inches long and have a high growth rate. The dietary requirements for the Timor lizard are small lizards, invertebrates, and geckos.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Timor monitor lizards borrow a lot and frequently hide in their damp borrows.. For a pair of these monitors, the enclosure size must be 150cm in length, 60cm in width, and 90cm in height. The additional substrate includes warm hides, cork tubes, and slate tiles. They utilize them frequently. Ideally, fresh water should be provided every day in a clean water dish. A simple shelf higher up in the view or a stack of tiles with varying spacing between them can serve as a basking place. The basking temperature must be managed at 70 degree Celsius.
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