Monitor ID

[Bushfire]

This photo was taken from Daniel Bennett's book "Monitor Lizards: Natural history, biology & husbandry" pp 249..

I always wondered about this monitor's true identity. The caption says
"Monitor from McArthur River, with characteristics intermediate between V.storri and V.primordius. Photo: H.COGGER"

I know the monitors around this area including Cape Crawford are an interesting mix. But I was thinking given the yellow throat this could be a juv V.baritji. Whats everyones thoughts on this monitor??

 

[taylor111]

i think its a ridge tail

 

[pythons73]

Well it looks like my new bloke which is a Spiney Tail Monitor,aka Ackie....

 

[Bushfire]

I keep 12 ackies from different locales and although it is similar I dont believe it is V.acanthurus

 

[Reptilian66]

l would have to say its a Varanus Baritji, going by its colour and appearances including its tail lenth.

 

[Bushfire]

Thats what I was thinking Reptilian66. The V.storri like patterning was the confusing part.

 

[eipper]

Its V. baritji, however the smaller monitors are a bit of a mess taxonomically, In need of a revision or 2.

Cheers,
Scott