Black Tree Monitor

Varanus beccarii

Range

• Aru Islands off New Guinea

Habitat

• Mangrove swamps

Diet

• Insects
• Rodents
• Smaller lizards
• Snakes
• Birds

Native to the Aru Islands, these carnivorous monitors begin their lives with yellow-colored spots.

By the time they are fully grown, they will be 3 to 4 feet in length and have turned completely black. Overly long, prehensile tails and large claws allow these arboreal lizards to live and hunt in the trees.