Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I first bought my monitor, the guy who sold it to me said it was a White-throat. I've done some research on their differences and haven't been able to come up with anything concrete. Maybe some of you guys or gals that have way more experience, can tell by looking at this photo. Thanks in advance!

Hello,

That is a very pretty white-throat, and that pattern type comes from Zambia-Zimbabwe-Botswana regions, maybe N.E. Namibia. They are not too common to see that type nowadays so hold onto it. Their average length may be 4.5 feet, become docile and good tree climbers.
Good Luck,
mbayless

n/p

Hello. Thanks for the compliments and info! I've been trying to find out for months what it was. I was even assuming it was a BT...little did I know. You even knew the region they originate from. Right on!!!

My Pleasure - my fanaticism began in 1982 when I got a V. exanthematicus and noby could tell me where it was from; After reviewing 4,000 locality records, museum records, examined specimens myself, I am more familiar with this question and the answer why...See Reptiles 2000, June/July issues and Journal of Biogeography, 2002, 29:1643-1703 for further details.

I am working on a Pt. II distributional survey now, as I have more data from my 2002 article published last year. Oh, by the way, the type of albigularis you have is locally called, "Siena Leguaan."

Good Luck,
mbayless

Wow! 1982?? I guess you're over the "passing trend" phase I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to find any kind of information on monitors, back then. It's still rather difficult, 20 yrs later. Thanks to people like you that are very knowledgeable and are very generous with it, thanks for the references as well.I'll be sure to read up on it. So thats what they call them, down there. Very cool.Good luck with all your endeavors!

Thanks very much for the kind words - they go along way! If I can be of further help, you know how to find me...
Cheers,
mbayless

np

This is as a juvabout 3 months ago, and the orange has really intensified since.

Blaize he looks almost identical to that one. Probably came from the same group of imports.

Probably did. I did notice the similiarity.. when I saw Blaize in the photo gallery. If they're opposite sexes maybe we can hook them up on a blind date in the future.

You'll know males from females as they have a very strong pheromone scent, like roasted almonds that can stink up your house (I like the aroma myself), and really secrete it from say June - August, and the females secrtete their perfume from say late August to October-november, with a small window where both are in "heat", "rutt", etc...and the juices go-a-flowing.... or at least thisis what the field studies show - in captivity, I would say the window is about 3-6 weeks long, and males are relentless copulators during this period! Like so many other males of other-species - and like most animals in the Kingdom Animalia, its the female who decides who will partake and share her chromosomes!
cheers,
mbayless

Interesting. I still dont know what sex mine is. I'll definitely be looking out for the smell of freshly roasted almonds.