Euprepiosaurus
Varanus melinus BÖHME & ZIEGLER 1997
Quince Monitor
Quince Monitor
Varanus
melinus is a member of the subgenera Euprepiosaurus. It is
very close related to V. indicus, but it is very easily to be distinguished
by the yellow coloration. This species can reach a total length of 80-120
cm.The coloration of the head, back, legs, and tail is a bright yellow. A black reticulation starts at the lower third of the neck and is most prominent at the body. There some yellow spots, sometimes forming yellow ocelli, are ordered in regular cross row over the back. The tail is banded alternately black and yellow on the first two thirds, getting more pale in the lower third.
The underside from head, throat, body, legs, and tail uniformly pale yellow, only on the throat a light black reticulation is visible. 124-130 scales are around midbody. The nostril is situated closer to the tip of the snout than to the eye. The tongue is uniformly light pink.
Distribution,
habitat and behavior
The
distribution of Varanus melinus is restricted to the the island
of Obi in the Moluccas, Indonesia. But because these data are only known
by the dealer, who shipped some animals over to Germany and the USA, it
is no sure, that it is correct (BÖHME & ZIEGLER 1997). It is also reported, that V. melinus might occur on the
Sula Islands, western Moluccas.
BAYLESS & ADARGNA (1999)
reported, that V. melinus also might occur on Taliabu, Bowokan,
and Banggai Island. Till now, no reports of the occurency of this monitor
on Sulawesi are published.
There are no data available on the habitat preferences and the food items, V. melinus prefers in the wild.
Keeping
and breeding
DEDLMAR & BÖHME (2000) desccribed the first capive reproduction of this monitor. They kept 2.4 specimen in several enclosures, each measuring 180 x 110 x 200 cm with a water basin measuring 125 x 110 x 50 cm. The side and the back walls are covered with cork plates. Some big trunks and some plastic plants are for climbing and shelter for the animals.
Mice and big locusts build the major diet for the monitors. Live fish were never taken, but fish fillets and prawns were always welcome.
In April 1999 one of the females laid two unfertile eggs. The same female laid again 6 eggs inAugust of the same year. All eggs were fertile and after an incubation of 168-171 days at an incubation temperature of 28.5°C five babies hatched. The other one just died about 10 days before hatching. The offspring had a total length of 210-220 mm and had a body mass of 21-23 g. Some days after hatching the youngsters started to feed on house crickets. About one month later the first pinkie mice were offerd and taken. No further problems were reported.
back