Mertens' Water Monitor
(Varanus Mertensi) Monitor lizards (from the Latin monere ‘to warn’) are so-called because of the way they raise their heads and upper body in an apparently watchful pose. As you see in the photo, the lizard does appear to be keeping a lookout. Mertens’ water monitors are found in coastal and inland waters across far northern Australia, from Broome to the western side of Cape York peninsula. They’re always near water, where they bask on rocks or overhanging branches, or amongst aquatic plants.
These lizards actually dig burrows at the water’s edge, where they shelter at night.
zR15_2334
Mertens' Water Monitor
(Varanus Mertensi) Monitor lizards (from the Latin monere ‘to warn’) are so-called because of the way they raise their heads and upper body in an apparently watchful pose. As you see in the photo, the lizard does appear to be keeping a lookout. Mertens’ water monitors are found in coastal and inland waters across far northern Australia, from Broome to the western side of Cape York peninsula. They’re always near water, where they bask on rocks or overhanging branches, or amongst aquatic plants.
These lizards actually dig burrows at the water’s edge, where they shelter at night.
zR15_2334