Rainer Günther’s Monitor

About the Rainer Günther’s Monitor

Varanus rainerguentheri, also commonly known as Günther's mangrove monitor and Rainer Günther's monitor, is a species of lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to the Moluccas. V. rainerguentheri is a member of the "mangrove monitor species complex". V. rainerguentheri was described in 2007 from specimens originally designated as V. indicus from the island of Halmahera in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. It was distinguished based on differences in pattern and well as molecular studies.

The specific name, rainerguentheri, is in honor of German herpetologist Rainer Günther. Average adult total length (including tail) of V. rainerguentheri is up to three feet (1 metre), though specimens close to five feet (1.6 metres) have been observed. The background color is dark greyish-black. The dorsal pattern consists of ocelli with yellow centers, arranged in transverse rows. The ventral surface is cream to greyish in color. The ventral surface possesses faint bands and the throat is unpatterned. The tongue is pink with a dark tip.

V. rainerguentheri was originally described from Halmahera, where it is now... Wikipedia →