Live specimen of Varanus bushi (Photo Credit: Linette Umbrello)
Live specimen of Varanus bushi (Photo Credit: Linette Umbrello)

Pilbara monitor

Varanus bushi

The Australian goannas, or monitors, belong to the genus Varanus. They are typically recognised by their huge size. Indeed, the world's largest lizard (th Komodo Dragon, V. komodoensis), and Australia's largest lizard (the Perentie, V. giganteus) belong to this genus. The Pilbara monitor is "tiny" compared to these monsters, measuring in at a modest 30 cm fully grown, compared to some Perentie which have been recorded as large as 2 m.
 

Morphology

Like many goannas, the Pilbara monitor is powerfully built, with a large body and long tail. However, this species is tiny compared to most goannas, reaching only 30 cm. 

Method of reproduction

Sexual

Habitat

Terrestrial

This species is arboreal (tree dwelling), often found under bark or in forks. They will use the ground for cover at times.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Saurina
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Species: bushi
Name Published Year: 2006
Rank: species
Scientific Name Authorship: Aplin, Fitch & King
Commercial Impact: 

None

Conservation Assessment: Least Concern

Net Conservation Benefits Fund

Share
Facebook Twitter

Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/varanus-bushi
Accessed 9 Jun 2024

Rights
We support the open release of data and information about our collections.

Text content on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Image content on this page is copyright WA Museum.