Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The photos were taken earlier today. This monitor was given to me. Please help me identify. I believe this is a Varanus albigularis, but not sure if possibly: V.a.Ionidesi(Black Throat) or V.a.Albigularis(White Throat).

Thanks,

Scott

That is a whitethroatmonitor, i quarantee!! Probably from south of africa i yhink, but you can ask mark bayless to be sure of locality! greetings, barry

Sorta looks like a banded WT.
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No doubt, very pretty animal, some more pics and you could it sexed. Lets see the head closer and the tail base from the side and bottom.
Good luck with it, I love albigs.

Thanks to all! I was initially advised by someone who reportedly saw the monitor in person that s/he is a Black Throat. Not knowing much about monitors I searched the internet learning about them. Pictures I saw indicated the animal appeared to be a WT and not a BT Monitor.

Since I will probably keep the monitor, I learned about good husbandry such as enclosure size - a closed top for humidity/reduces kidney problem, temperature gradients, soil and food.

I fed the monitor 1.5 hard-boiled eggs today. Since the exterminator makes his monthly rounds here I will get snails from the neighboring citrus grove and see if s/he will eat them.

I'll take close-up pics and submit tomorrow.

Again, thanks,

Scott

Hi Scott,
Later this year there will be a new book on savanna(=Bosc) and White-throat monitors - and it will answer most of your questions - they're terrific animnals
markb

SHvar wrote:

> No doubt, very pretty animal, some more pics and you could it
> sexed. Lets see the head closer and the tail base from the side
> and bottom.

I didn't take a pic of the WT monitor's vent area (is this what you mean - regarding sexing the monitor?), but I will take one if you wish.

Three (3) pics are included in this post. I'll post again with additional pics.

Scott

From the pics, I'm going to say it's possibly a female. SHvar or someone else with alittle bit more experience with sexing them might be able to offer a better prognosis.
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The animal looks a little muscle atrophy - some good tree climbing and exercise will solve that...and if you can feed her snails/shellfish with her diet - that has more calcium in it than rodents.
Good luck,
markb

> From the pics, I'm going to say it's possibly a female. SHvar or
> someone else with alittle bit more experience with sexing them
> might be able to offer a better prognosis.

Thanks to all for your replies.

What additional pictures should be taken to help determine sex of the WT Monitor?

Scott

Parially everted.

Look at the head shape, body shape, and tail BULGES on these 2 adult males..

This is a female, a very big female.

Notice the difference in tail base, head shape, body shape and length.