Varanus Obor - Komodo Dragon Relative Discovered In Indonesia
Monday, April 26, 2010 - 17:50
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have discovered a new species of monitor lizard, a close relative of the Komodo dragon, on the Moluccan islands of east Indonesia. The lizard was discovered just last spring and belongs to the mangrove monitor, V. indicus group. The discovery was reported in Zootaxa this week. Varanus obor, popularly referred to as Torch monitor and Sago monitor, has a bright orange head with a glossy black body. It is a close relative of the fruit-eating monitor lizard recently reported from the Philippines. The Torch monitor can grow to nearly four feet in length, and thrives on a diet of small animals and carrion. read more