When I see a cape banded WT I know its a cape banded WT, when I see an Ionides BT I know its a blackthroat, when I see a Sienna Leguaan I know its a sienna colored WT, when I see a Tanzanian WT I can tell generally it is one, but there are some many local versions or subspecies that I cannot identify, that by looking at them I couldnt tell you what they are, examples are Microstictus, Angolensis etc. If I have a V.A.Microstictus sitting in front of me how do I know, and how do I tell it from an Ionidesi? If an Angolensis smacked me with its tail how do I know its an Angolensis? What are the differences between them? Whats important to hobbyists with taxonomy is knowing what they have, what its called, what species it is, what subspecies etc. I mean its nice to know as an example when I originally bought Sobek I was told she is a CBB Ionides monitor, after the purchase I questioned the origin and found she is a BT/WT cross from Rob Faust or more accurately a BT/WT/WT cross, this was fine to me as I kept in contact with Rob and got Shadow from him whos a first generation BT/WT cross.

I wonder as I have had more than a few BTs over the years and have seen, handled, and cared for a few or more WTs, I can see so many differences between them and wonder even between BTs there are many differences. So if I look at 2 BTs (a Microstictus, and an Ionidesi) how do I know which is which? If I pick them up and look closely how do I know which is which? I cant seem to find a description of differences or a list of identifying features of each, what are they? Its nice to know where they come from, its also nice to know what it is to better understand the animal and its origins. Yes they are all Varanus Albigularis, but I want to know how to tell the subspecies apart, no one seems to have ever covered that, at least that I can find.

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