VARANUS TRISTIS
Black-headed monitors are always looking out for threats and easily frightened. They burrow into the ground, climb into tight rock crevices, or climb trees if they sense danger. Their sharp claws allow them to climb rocks and trees quickly. Their dark bodies help them hide in tree or between rocks
The black-headed monitor preys mostly on insects, but they’re not picky! In Australia, they will eat nearly anything they find, like bird and lizard eggs, small mammals, and small lizards.
Lizards love hot weather and sunshine. The dark head and tail of black-headed monitor help them absorb sunlight and warm up their bodies quickly. They thrive in temperatures between 77 degrees and 113 degrees Fahrenheit!
In October, females will lay multiple sets of eggs and bury them in 8-inch-deep (20 centimeter) holes. The female will defend her nests, dig up her eggs, and rebury them until the eggs hatch in February. Baby monitors (hatchlings) sometimes sit for a day or more in their shells before they dig toward the surface.
