Description:
Scientific name: Varanus yemenensis
Life span: 20+years
Yemen monitor lizards may reach a maximum length of 3.6 feet. The slit-like nostrils are obliquely arranged directly right in front of the eyes, and the temporals, nasal, and parietal areas are enlarged. Yemen monitors are dark brown in color and strips are located on the body that can vary from individual to individual. Additionally, the tail has black lines and is tightly compressed laterally, and has a middle crest. The vivid yellow streaks above the nose are one of Yemen’s monitor distinguishing characteristics.
Native Region/Habitat
The Yemen monitor lizards are native to Arabian Peninsula, Tihama, Khobar, Ta’izz, and Wadi Maraba. They inhabit savannah-like areas, and coastal lowlands, stones, and sand.
Behavior:
The Yemen monitor lizards are bottom dwellers and they live under rocks, tree trunks, and deep tunnels. In captivity, they are reported as calm reptiles. They feed on small insects, snails, beetles, and sometimes large vertebrates. Their reproductive behavior is still not reported in captivity.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Yemen monitors seldom thrive in captivity and, at best, barely survive a few years. They do not become docile or used to being handled. Their surroundings in captivity should resemble both their original desert habitat and those of many other ground-dwelling creatures. For hibernation, they need cooler temperatures during the winter season and higher temperatures in the summer. They need proper food in captivity comparable to their food in the wild.
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