Biak Tree Monitor
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Varanus kordensis is part of the subgenus Euprepiosaurus. MERTENS (1942d) described this species as a subspecies of V. prasinus, which it seems to be close related. In his revision SPRACKLAND (1991b), however, has put this taxon into the synonymy of V. prasinus since the scale number variation is in the bandwidth of V. prasinus. The major color is green to turquoise. A black netted pattern is visible on the back. This drawing also can disappear (JACOBS 2002) at some older speciemen. On the throat and the belly side these animals show a pale brown coloration. The scales on the neck are keeled. About 89 scale rows are ordered around mid-body. The tail of this species is round in diameter and the last third is prehensile. The length is approximately 2.15 times as long as SVL. The total length is up to 90 cm. |
Varanus kordensis courtesy of F. Mohr |
The distribution of V. kordensis is restricted to the island of Biak, situated north of New Guinea. This species is the only member of the V. prasinus-complex, which is known till now, having also a green ground coloration, and living on an offshore island (MERTENS 1942d).
V. kordensis is a tree climber from the tropical rain forests on the island of. The animals are normally found in the canopy of the trees, and don’t come to the ground very often.
Only one report on captive husbandry of V. kordensis is known till now (JACOBS 2002). The keeping of this monitor species is nearly identical to the care of the other memebers of the V. prasinus-group. The animals Jacobs keeps dropped 3 to 4 eggs per clutch. The young animals hatched after an incubation period of 190 days at temperatures between 28 and 29°C. The rearing has been successful without problems.
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