Argus Monitor Natural History
Size
Male Argus Monitors reach an average length of 5 ft (1.5 meters) and weigh 10-20 kg (22 – 44 lbs) while females are much smaller.
Habitat and Distribution
They are native to the island of New Guinea, northern Australia and some islands of the Torres Straights. These monitors are often found in savannah grasslands and riparian and woodland habitats.
Age
In captivity they can reach 15-20 years of age.
Diet
Small reptiles, small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, crabs and insects make up their diet.
Groups and Breeding
They are not a communal species and live independently except for during the mating season.
Roughly 30 days after mating the female will dig a nest and lay up to 12 eggs which she will then bury. Eggs take 6-7 months to hatch.
Threats
These reptiles have experienced a dramatic decline in population in some of their range due to the introduction of poisonous cane toads by humans, which Argus Monitors eat.
Interesting Facts
This species ‘tripods’ using its hind legs and tail, allowing them to get a higher vantage point of the surrounding landscape for prey or predators and to appear larger when threatened.
They can also be known by the alternative name of yellow-spotted monitor.
The Argus Monitor During Your Day Out in Kent
We are home to one male Argus Monitor Lizard named Havoc. He can be seen in the Reptile House alongside a number of other popular reptile and amphibian species.
The more you know…
Want to know more about this animal? Check out our keeper blogs about them here.