Black Tree Monitor - Five Sisters Zoo

A relatively small lizard species, over 2/3 of its total body length is made up of their prehensile tail. This tail helps them balance and grip branches in the tree canopy or while on the ground searching for food. Black tree monitors are born green and turn black once they reach adulthood.

Facts

Diet: Carnivore; feeds on insects, small mammals and birds, and even bird eggs.

Length: 1m

Habitat: Aru Islands off the coast of New Guinea; prefers rainforest with high levels of vegetation.

Lifespan: 10-15 years in the wild, possibly longer under human care

Adapted to Survive

Black tree monitors are highly intelligent and will use their claws and tongues to explore their world; their forked tongue, similar to a snake, allows them to hunt based on smell.

Threats

Habitat fragmentation; possible population decline due to the illegal wildlife trade

IUCN Conservation Status

Data Deficient (research is ongoing)

< Back to list

© Copyright 2024 Five sisters Zoo