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Last updated : 11/03/2007

This page is indexed on our home page under Aspect: 8. Links - Species Specific and the Section: Lizards: Monitors

Introduction

This page contains a selection of the best links found on the reptile species: Ridge-tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)(Akie). The navigation table on the top left will take you directly to the defined topics, such as  Natural Habitat, Captive care, Breeders, Pictures, More information, Other information and Taxonomy.

Please feel free to advise any incorrect allocations or descriptions and to request any additional links to your favorite website on this subject.

A brief snippet about Ridge tailed monitor/Akie

A brief introduction to the species will be inserted here ..... coming soon! In the interim we have a number of links on the species, listed on this page.

The spiny-tailed goanna is found throughout northern Australia (except the east of Queensland) and also inhabits many islands off the northern and western coasts. It may be absent from areas of the Northern Territory inhabited by V.baritji. Three subspecies have been described; V.acanthurus acanthurus from easterly parts of the range, V.acanthurus brachyurus from the west and V.acanthurus insulanicus from Groote Eylandt and Marchinbar Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Storr (1980) did not consider V.a.brachyurus to be a valid subspecies, but he remarked on peculiarities in specimens from some islands (Barrow and South Murion) off Western Australia. Case & Schwaner (1993) noted that animals from Barrow Island were significantly smaller than those on the mainland.

by Joe Romley, South Coast Reptiles Reprinted from the newsletter of the San Diego Herpetological Society, Vol.25, No.7, July 2003. Originally published in the SDHS Newsletter, June 2000. I acquired my first ridge-tails in January of 1999. Having kept several other monitors prior to this, I thought I knew what I was doing. Wrong!!! I purchased my new animals from "Python" Pete Kuhn, and was fortunate enough to be invited in for a lesson in varanid husbandry, more specifically heat. What I left Pete's house with was not only a pair of beautiful animals, but a new respect for their husbandry needs. What I have come to believe is that there is a triangle to proper care of monitors: heat, food, and water. The following information is part of what I have learned from several herpetoculturalists. Please study for yourself and ask as many questions from as many people as you can before you decide how to care for your own animals.

General Information Distribution — Ridge tail monitors are found throughout Northern Australia except eastern Queensland. Habitat — Found in a variety of tropical and subtropical habitats. This small monitor species is typically in rocky habitats but may also be found in trees. Size — Adults grow to a length of 50-60 cm (22-26 inches). Temperament — Although monitors are typically shy and nervous animals, domestically bred ridge tail monitors can become very docile and tractable with consistent gentle handling.

Distribution Ridge Tail Monitors (Varanus Acanthurus) and it's sub species extend across Western Australia, Northern Territory, and parts of Queensland, they live in a variety of habitats but are mainly found in rocky, arid regions. Also known as Spiny Tailed Monitors and more commonly (ackies).

The acanthurus monitor better known as the Akie is one of the most commonly kept species of monitor today and for good reason. The acanthurus genre comprises of three sub species namely the red Akie (v. acanthurus acanthurus) the yellow Akie (v.a brachyurus) and the (v.a insularicus). The Akies most commonly kept are the red and yellow Akies, the red growing slightly larger and is found in northern Australia where as the smaller yellow Akies is found in central and eastern Australia, although both are kept in almost identical conditions .

Gully Reptile Centa is located in Modbury, South Australia and specializes in reptiles and accessories. We are dedicated to bringing you top quality service, great selection and the best prices. Quantity buying allows us to sell our huge selection of reptiles and care products at great prices. We carry every supply needed to care, maintain, and breed healthy reptiles. We make sure that all our customers are 100% satisfied and invite you to call anytime to let us know how we are doing.

This site has been online since May 25, 2001 to group those that have an interest in Monitor lizards ('Varanus spp.'). The information provided here is a cumulation of what's provided by visitors, books, but also personal experiences. If you have interesting stuff concerning this group of reptiles please share with us by either posting a message on the website forum or sending it to me by e-mail. Since this website covers monitor lizards only I'll only be including information on this group of reptiles.

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Last updated : 13-01-2008