Varanus rosenbergi

3 Heath or Rosenberg's Monitor at Wingecarribee Local Government Area

Varanus rosenbergi at Wingecarribee Local Government Area - 14 Nov 2019
Varanus rosenbergi at Wingecarribee Local Government Area - 14 Nov 2019
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Identification history

Varanus rosenbergi 22 Nov 2019 PatrickCampbell
Varanus varius 22 Nov 2019 haynesb

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Significant sighting

22 Nov 2019

Rare and Vulnerable species in NSW.

User's notes

Juvenile Lace Monitor

5 comments

Margot wrote:
   23 Nov 2019
Hi Haynesb, great find! I've just uploaded a cropped version of your photo so it will be a bit easier for our reptile moderators to see. Cheers, Margot (Southern Highlands Nature Map Admin).
   23 Nov 2019
It's a Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi), which is an even greater find, as it's not only a rare and vulnerable species in NSW but it's our first recorded sighting on SHNM.

A good way to tell these two species apart, is by looking at the tail bands. Lacies have fewer and broader, pale tail bands, whereas Heathies have relatively evenly spaced, narrower, pale bands along the entire length of the tail.
A different behavioural response to potential predators can also be observed, as Lacies invariably go up a nearby tree, whereas Heathies tend to stay on the ground or disappear down a burrow.

Thanks for cropping the image Margot.
haynesb wrote:
   23 Nov 2019
Thanks to you both. I’m learning a lot already. You’re so right about how it behaved too.
   23 Nov 2019
You're welcome Haynes. Congratulations on making such a significant sighting.
BLSHTwo wrote:
   25 Nov 2019
That's an awesome find. I still haven't seen one in the highlands yet, well done!

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