Getting to Know the Black Tree Monitor
Getting to Know the Black Tree Monitor
Grade Levels
3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
Course, Subject
Science and Technology and Engineering Education, Environment and Ecology (Agriculture), Science
Related Academic Standards
Organism Name
Common Name: Black Tree Monitor
Scientific Name: Varanus beccarii
Classification Information
Kingdom: Animal
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varamus
Species: Beccarii
Geographic Range and Habitat
Black Tree Monitors are found exclusively on the Aru Islands of New Guinea.
These monitors are arboreal and prefer tropical rainforests and mangroves.
Physical Characteristics
While a relatively large lizard, the Black Tree Monitor is smaller than many other monitors. Their total length can reach up to three or three and a half feet, with the tail making up 60-70% of the total length. The tail is totally prehensile and can act as a fifth leg. They have sharp teeth and strong jaws. The Black Tree Monitor was believed to be either a subspecies or a color variance of the Green Tree Monitor and therefore is very similar in appearance. They have a long neck and a small head. Like their teeth, the claws are long and sharp. The legs are long and agile, and the sharp claws help the Black Tree Monitor grip onto branches. Black Tree Monitors, as the name suggests, are entirely black. Hatchlings often possess a bright pattern consisting of rows of green or yellow spots which completely disappear within twelve weeks. Males in general are larger in size. They have larger heads and the base of the male’s tail is more triangularly shaped. The base of the tail of female tends to be more roundly shaped.
Habits
They spend most of their time in trees in the island’s forests. They also are comfortable in mangrove swamps and on vines. They are nervous animals and usually hide amid the trees when humans are present. When threatened, the Black Tree Monitor will bite, scratch, and defecate. They are very fast and agile.
Diet
All monitors are carnivores. Black Tree Monitors eat insects, small reptiles, small bird hatchlings, crabs and mammals.
Reproduction
Very little is known of the reproductive habits of this animal, however, a clutch of up to 6 eggs takes 172 - 240 days to hatch.
Natural History
Formerly considered a subspecies of the Emerald Tree Monitor (V. prasinus), V. beccarii was raised to species level in 1991.
Captive History
No information located at this time.
Conservation
The Black Tree Monitor is listed as a Cites II species.
Did You Know?
The Black Tree Monitor is also referred to as Beccari’s Monitor. Unlike other monitors, they do not use their tails as weapons.
Author
Description
As the third oldest zoo in the United States, the Buffalo Zoo houses some of the world's most exotic and endangered wildlife. In collaboration with the Center for Applied Technologies in Education, the Buffalo Zoo has provided these animal profiles to offer a glimpse into the diversity of the Zoo’s collection.
