Spiny-tailed monitor
| Spiny-tailed Monitor | |
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| Species: | V. acanthurus
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| Varanus acanthurus | |
The Spiny-tailed Monitor or Ridge-tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus) is a small species of monitor lizard. They are native to Northwestern Australia and live in a variety of habitats from arid to tropical regions. Spiny-tailed Monitors are usually a reddish brown with yellow markings but color and pattern can vary with geographic origin. A distinctive feature is their thick spined tail - hence their common name. This tail is used for both attacking prey and for protection from predators. When attacking prey the tail is used like a whip, stunning the prey item which is then consumed without expending further effort. When used in defense, the Ridge-tail will scramble into loose rocks or boulders and use its tail to wedge itself in tight. The spikes give the tail good grip on the rocks, making extraction by other predators nearly impossible. In the species' home territory, the tail is often found discarded near Ridge-tail carcasses, indicating that predators of this species consider the tail inedible.
Their diet consists mainly of insects and small lizards.
Acanthurus in captivity
Ridge tailed monitors are one of the more common variants seen in captivity today both in their country of origin and around the world. This is mainly due to their small size, ease of care and availability. In captivity this species will thrive if given optimum conditions which are simple to provide if you have the right equipment. A 4x2x2 ft enclosure would comfortably hold an adult pair for the duration of their life however any additionally room will be utilised. Feeding should be at least daily for the first year, where individuals are offered as much as they will eat over a 14-20 minute period.
Sub-species
Several sub species have been recognised:
- Varanus acanthurus acanthurus, Common Ridge-Tailed Montor, or Red Ackie
- Varanus acanthurus brachyurus, Common Ridge-tailed Monitor, or Yellow Ackie
- Varanus acanthurus insulanicus, Island Ridge-tailed Monitor
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