The stripe-tailed goanna (''Varanus caudolineatus''), also known as the line-tailed pygmy monitor is a semi-arboreal species of

monitor lizard Monitor lizards are lizards in the genus ''Varanus,'' the only extant genus in the family Varanidae. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and one species is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. About 80 species are recogn ...

native to

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

Description

They can grow up to 32 cm in total length but reach sexual maturity at around 9.1 cm in snout to vent length.UTexas.edu
/ref> There is no sexual dimorphism; males and females look identical and are not known to differ in size. It is sometimes confused for the slightly larger

pygmy mulga monitor The pygmy mulga monitor (''Varanus gilleni''), also known as Gillen's monitor or just mulga monitor is a species of lizard in the family Varanidae. Taxonomy A description of the species was presented to the Royal Society of Victoria in 1895 by ...

; this is further complicated by the fact that northern populations of this species grow larger and particularly resemble pygmy mulga monitors.

Distribution

They can be further distinguished from the pygmy mulga monitor based on their distribution as the two species are

allopatric Allopatric speciation () – also referred to as geographic speciation, vicariant speciation, or its earlier name the dumbbell model – is a mode of speciation that occurs when biological populations become geographically isolated from ...

; stripe-tailed goannas only occur in

while pygmy mulga monitors can be found in much of central Australia. Although, while their known range does not currently overlap, additional sampling may prove otherwise. Its favoured habitats are

grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...

woodland A woodland () is, in the broad sense, land covered with trees, or in a narrow sense, synonymous with wood (or in the U.S., the ''plurale tantum'' woods), a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade (see ...

s, and

shrubland Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally or be the result of human activity. It m ...

s, and it appears to inhabit a wide

range Range may refer to: Geography * Range (geographic), a chain of hills or mountains; a somewhat linear, complex mountainous or hilly area (cordillera, sierra) ** Mountain range, a group of mountains bordered by lowlands * Range, a term used to i ...

habitats In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

dominated by

acacia ''Acacia'', commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. Initially, it comprised a group of plant species native to Africa and Australasia. The genus na ...

and spinifex. They can be found wedged under the crevices of loose bark, hollows in mulga and

eucalyptus ''Eucalyptus'' () is a genus of over seven hundred species of flowering trees, shrubs or mallees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Along with several other genera in the tribe Eucalypteae, including '' Corymbia'', they are commonly known as euca ...

trees, and rock outcrops.

Diet

This species feeds on small arthropods mostly including roaches, grasshoppers, spiders, scorpions, and more seldom centipedes, beetles, cicadas, and moths. Smaller lizards are also eaten, especially geckos such as ''

Gehyra punctata ''Gehyra punctata'', also known as the spotted dtella or the spotted gecko is a species of gecko endemic to Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land ...

Gehyra variegata ''Gehyra variegata'', the tree dtella, variegated dtella or varied dtella, is a species of gecko in the genus ''Gehyra ''Gehyra'' is a genus of geckos in the family ''Gekkonidae''. They are known as web-toed geckos or dtellas, and most spe ...

'' and '' Rhynchoedura ornata''. Geckos too large to be killed may still be attacked in order to consume their autotomized tails. While it is arboreal, much of its food is found by foraging on the ground, sometimes entering burrows looking for prey.

Behaviour

This species is relatively sedentary, only becoming active during the hottest time of the day when temperatures reach 30-45C, and even then travelling only a short (for a monitor of this size) average distance of 34m from their tree. They will occupy the same tree for about 3 days, but may not leave it for up to 15 days. It displays a degree of sociability as well. As many as 4 individuals can be found in close association of an area of 500m²,and individuals, at least between males and female, can be very tolerant of each other. Breeding likely takes place in July and August, after which females lay a clutch of 4-5 eggs between November and December.

Predation

It is predated on by birds of prey, snakes, as well as larger monitors such as Gould's monitors.

Description

Distribution

Diet

Behaviour

Predation

References

Further reading