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BLACK TREE MONITOR
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Varanus beccarii
HABITAT: Native to the Aru Islands of Indonesia
CONSERVATION STATUS: Populations are decreasing
FUN FACT:
Their tail is prehensile, they can wrap it around branches and use it to 'grab' items and for balance when climbing through trees.
DIET:
They primarily eat insects but will also eat smaller vertebrates such as smaller lizards, shrews, and birds.
DESCRIPTION:
Adult lizards can reach 35 to 47 inches in length, males are slightly larger than females. Their scales are primarily black and dark gray. They have a long prehensile tail and long, sharp claws and adhesive pads on their feet that help them climb. They live primarily in the tree tops.
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