Rusty Desert Monitor
Varanus eremius
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyVaranidae (Monitor Lizards)
- GenusVaranus (Monitor Lizards)
- SpeciesVaranus eremius (Rusty Desert Monitor)
About the Rusty Desert Monitor
The rusty desert monitor (Varanus eremius) is a species of small monitor lizards native to Australia. It is also known as the pygmy desert monitor. The monitor lizard belongs to the subgenus Odatria along with the pygmy mulga monitor. This monitor lizard is oviparous as with other monitor lizards.
A description of the species was presented to the Royal Society of Victoria in 1895 by Arthur H. S. Lucas and Charles Frost. Varanus eremius is the most widespread of the pygmy goannas. It lives in desert and semidesert areas of South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Its range possibly includes Queensland, as well.; Storr & Harold 1980).
The rusty desert monitor reaches a total length of about 50 cm. The colouration of this monitor lizard on the upper side is light to dark reddish-brown with numerous, irregularly distributed, black or deep-brown spots. Sometimes, smaller primrose or cream-colored spots are present. Its tail shows alternating cream-colored and deep-brown longitudinal stripes, which are often broken up into scattered spots at the tail base. A conspicuous black stripe occurs from the snout to the eye... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Rusty Desert Monitor in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Rusty Desert Monitor in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Rusty Desert Monitor sighting in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Rusty Desert Monitor in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Rusty Desert Monitor in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in our monthly data.