Varanus albigularis ionidesi
Encyclopedia
The black-throated monitor (Varanus albigularis ionidesi) is a monitor lizard
native to Tanzania
. They are usually a dark gray-brown with yellowish or white markings, and can reach up to seven feet (2.1m) long and weigh more than sixty pounds. It is the largest of the four subspecies
of Varanus albigularis.
name Varanus is derived from the Arabic word waral ورل, which is translated to English as "monitor". Their specific
name comes from a compound of two Latin
words: albus meaning "white" and gula meaning "throat".
Their main diet in captivity
is whole prey, such as mice, rats, snakes, lizard
s, freshwater mollusks, small birds, large roaches, crustacians, fish, and eggs. Though these animals commonly accept cat and dog food, it is not acceptable as a staple diet due to an improper nutrient profile and high caloric content. In the wild, these monitors will eat anything they can catch. When kept captive, these animals tend to be less defensive than other species, such as the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus).
Monitor lizard
Monitor lizards are usually large reptiles, although some can be as small as in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semiaquatic monitors are also known...
native to Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. They are usually a dark gray-brown with yellowish or white markings, and can reach up to seven feet (2.1m) long and weigh more than sixty pounds. It is the largest of the four subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of Varanus albigularis.
Taxonomy
The genericGenus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
name Varanus is derived from the Arabic word waral ورل, which is translated to English as "monitor". Their specific
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
name comes from a compound of two Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
words: albus meaning "white" and gula meaning "throat".
Their main diet in captivity
Captivity (animal)
Animals that live under human care are in captivity. Captivity can be used as a generalizing term to describe the keeping of either domesticated animals or wild animals. This may include for example farms, private homes and zoos...
is whole prey, such as mice, rats, snakes, lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
s, freshwater mollusks, small birds, large roaches, crustacians, fish, and eggs. Though these animals commonly accept cat and dog food, it is not acceptable as a staple diet due to an improper nutrient profile and high caloric content. In the wild, these monitors will eat anything they can catch. When kept captive, these animals tend to be less defensive than other species, such as the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus).