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Species Id Please: |
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calumma Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 351  View other posts by calumma |
Posted: 15 Mar 2005 I very nearly sent this one to Gemma via the new KRAG online recording form! A lady from Sevenoaks Local Authority contacted me this afternoon regarding a dead lizard. The animal in question is somewhat larger than the native Kent fauna, coming in at about 3 and a half feet! Although apparently well fed, the front feet were missing. It is not clear whether the animal was dumped dead or alive, but posture suggests that the lizard may have died in situ. Although clearly a monitor I am not sure which species and wondered if anybody could help. 
Lee Brady Kent Herpetofauna Recorder | Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Wolfgang Wuster Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 326 View other posts by Wolfgang Wuster |
Posted: 16 Mar 2005 Lee, You should contact Dan Bennett - you will find his contact details on his website Cheers, Wolfgang Wolfgang Wüster School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/ |
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Robert V Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 717 View other posts by Robert V |
Posted: 16 Mar 2005
is it not a Tegu or Togu. I think there are some of those on sale down Jollies in Crews Hill Enfield. RobV |
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-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317 View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 16 Mar 2005 As an escaped or dumped pet (and from the picture) it's almost inevitably one of the 'Bosc' monitors Varanus alibigularis / Varanus exanthematicus. I'd go for albigularis but they're an African complex of very similar animals and I'm not brave enough to say for sure! It's a shame as the animal looked to have plenty of body weight and big dippy monitors are surprisingly easy to find homes for. Out of interest, the missing front feet thing strikes as a bit weird. Any evidence to suggest whether this had happened posthumously or not? as to me a foraging hedgehog sounds like a plausible culprit. Lee. Lee Fairclough |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 17 Mar 2005 Definitely rock leguaan V.albigularis. This dark form is typical of the South African lowveld,(Limpopo Prov), they tend to be lighter coloured further north. They are protected in SA but we know of a dealer who illegally shipped hundreds of babies out in 2002 If body is still available might be useful to take DNA sample. Tony |
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calumma Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 351 View other posts by calumma |
Posted: 17 Mar 2005 Thanks to everyone for the responses. I emailed Dan and he also confirmed the id to be Varanus albigularis. More info on the species can be found here. I'm not sure what happened to the body, I suspect it was disposed of - but will check. Lee Brady Kent Herpetofauna Recorder | Independent Ecological Consultant |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 28 Jan 2006 that's an escaped pet lizard, maybe from aus. or africa Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201  View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 29 Jan 2006 A fox or hedgehog, or some other predator probably had it's front feet. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 30 Jan 2006 Why do you say that, his foot is there... isn't it? Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 30 Jan 2006 No, I don't think it is... look closely... gone below the wrist. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 30 Jan 2006 ah, yes you're right Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 31 Jan 2006 Always sad to see a dead herp...  Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 31 Jan 2006 I see too many:  Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 31 Jan 2006 I'm expecting to see some on the Spanish roads, as I have heard too much that Spanish drivers swerve to hit these gorgeous animals... Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 31 Jan 2006 yes! here too, once I almost had a crash on my scooter when a car swerved to squash what was a long (+ 1.5 m) montpellier snake!!! Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
- Species Id Please |