Lace Monitor by stuart83
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Description
The lace monitor grows to between 1.5 and 2 metres in length, it is a dark steel grey above with pale yellow or cream bands or rows of spots. The underside is cream. The jaws and snout are usually strongly barred with yellow and dark grey. A second colour form known as Bell's phase occurs in some areas of Queensland which has strong dark grey and yellow bands all along the body. The toes are equipped with long, strong claws, which are used for climbing. The tongue is long and forked like a snake . Monitors are the only lizards that have a forked tongue.
Habitat:
The lace monitor lives in eastern Australian forests and coastal tablelands. Much of its time is spent up fairly large trees, although they usually come down to the ground to forage for food. When disturbed it sprints to the nearest tree and climbs to safety with great speed and agility.
Diet:
The lace monitor has a broad and varied diet including birds, insects, bird eggs, reptiles and small mammals. They will readily feed on carrion, including road kills, gorging themselves when the opportunity arises. After a large feed they are able to go for many weeks without feeding again.
Reproduction:
Lace monitors lay between 6 to 12 eggs each year. These are usually laid in termite mounds, particularly those found in trees. The female excavates a hole on the side of the termite mound, lays the eggs and then leaves the termites to reseal the eggs inside the nest. It is believed that the mother is aware of when the eggs are due to hatch and she will return to the nest and opens it up with her strong claws to allow the baby monitors to escape.
Thanks for looking
Stuart
Comments (19)
rds
Great shot, well done.
nongo
Fascinating info and incredible photo!!!!!!
Romia
Splendid photograph! He or she has a cute facial expression.
ledwolorz
WOW.Amazing photo.
wingnut55
impressive portrait, and a handsomely marked lizard.
durleybeachbum
Excellent!
MaraP
Excellent captured!!! 5+++
Marcel-P
Great imageformation/pov. I like how he is looking over the stone. Great details and sharpness and dof! Really a great capture!
tizjezzme
wow, impressive shot & detail!
erlandpil
Great capture erland
Cytisus
Great shot and history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheAnimaGemini
Fantastic. What a cute guy. :) Beautiful.
Kyms_Cave
Perfect photo..I never knew about these very smart animals and their young in Ants nests until I saw it on a documentary reciently..thanks for including all the info on these wonderful Ausies..I managed to photograph one a couple of years ago..it stopped and stood up erect and let me get some photos..then ran into a big log on the ground..a friend let one climb onto her lap and she fed it..had to sit there for half and hour till it was ready to depart..not something I would try...
featherwitch
Beautiful shot and interesting info! :o)
vlaaitje
wonderful depth and pose, nice animal as well
mbz2662
Great shot! Thanks for the information.... very interesting.
Littlejock
Great focus and light. Just perfect
TomDart
I have a dragon shot somewhere in my gallery..this one is quite fine. glad to see in LWITG.
Waver88
Great photo...the detail and clearity is fantastic.