Lace Monitor by stuart83
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The lace monitor grows to between 1.5 and 2 metres in length, it is a dark steel grey above with pale yellow or cream bands or rows of spots. The underside is cream. The jaws and snout are usually strongly barred with yellow and dark grey. A second colour form known as Bell's phase occurs in some areas of Queensland which has strong dark grey and yellow bands all along the body. The toes are equipped with long, strong claws, which are used for climbing. The tongue is long and forked like a snake . Monitors are the only lizards that have a forked tongue.
Habitat:
The lace monitor lives in eastern Australian forests and coastal tablelands. Much of its time is spent up fairly large trees, although they usually come down to the ground to forage for food. When disturbed it sprints to the nearest tree and climbs to safety with great speed and agility.
Diet:
The lace monitor has a broad and varied diet including birds, insects, bird eggs, reptiles and small mammals. They will readily feed on carrion, including road kills, gorging themselves when the opportunity arises. After a large feed they are able to go for many weeks without feeding again.
Reproduction:
Lace monitors lay between 6 to 12 eggs each year. These are usually laid in termite mounds, particularly those found in trees. The female excavates a hole on the side of the termite mound, lays the eggs and then leaves the termites to reseal the eggs inside the nest. It is believed that the mother is aware of when the eggs are due to hatch and she will return to the nest and opens it up with her strong claws to allow the baby monitors to escape.
Thanks for looking
Stuart

Comments (19)
Great shot, well done.
Fascinating info and incredible photo!!!!!!
Splendid photograph! He or she has a cute facial expression.
WOW.Amazing photo.
impressive portrait, and a handsomely marked lizard.
Excellent!
Excellent captured!!! 5+++
Great imageformation/pov. I like how he is looking over the stone. Great details and sharpness and dof! Really a great capture!
wow, impressive shot & detail!
Great capture erland
Great shot and history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic. What a cute guy. :) Beautiful.
Perfect photo..I never knew about these very smart animals and their young in Ants nests until I saw it on a documentary reciently..thanks for including all the info on these wonderful Ausies..I managed to photograph one a couple of years ago..it stopped and stood up erect and let me get some photos..then ran into a big log on the ground..a friend let one climb onto her lap and she fed it..had to sit there for half and hour till it was ready to depart..not something I would try...
Beautiful shot and interesting info! :o)
wonderful depth and pose, nice animal as well
Great shot! Thanks for the information.... very interesting.
Great focus and light. Just perfect
I have a dragon shot somewhere in my gallery..this one is quite fine. glad to see in LWITG.
Great photo...the detail and clearity is fantastic.