THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION
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Selection of Australian Frogs

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MONITOR LIZARDS Goannas Varanids Varanidae

Skinks of Australia

CROCODILES Crocodylia Crocodilia Saltwater freshwater estuarine

REPTILES OF THE WORLD SPECIES LISTS

LACE MONITOR
(Varanus varius)

These are the two natural occurring phases of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius),
they were photographed at the Gorge Wildlife Park, South Australia.
Most Lace Monitors have the standard patterning similar to the one at the back, but some have the patterning of the one at the front which is called a Bell's Phase Lace Monitor.
Both patterns may hatch from the same clutch of eggs.


Approximate distribution of the Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)
Approximate distribution of the Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)
This very large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) that is shedding its skin, is waiting near a picnic table at Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW (Copyright 2020 John Fowler & <a href=
This very large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) that is shedding its skin, is waiting near a picnic table at Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW


Lace Monitor Karawatha
This Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) was hanging around a picnic area at Karawatha Forest Park near Brisbane in South East Qld - Note that Lace Monitors and some other large monitor species often hang around picnic areas. It is dangerous to feed them. If someone reports a problem monitor to the authorities it is likely to be relocated. Note that large sharp bones like T-bones can cause serious injury to goannas as they try to swallow them, and should not be left where a monitor might find them.


This large old Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) approaches Rachel Barnes on Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW to see if she has any food for him. This goanna was fossicking at the waters edge, then walked to the nearby picnic area to fossick around the picnic area where 3 other goannas were also hoping to find food scraps!



This very large and fat Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) was waiting by a picnic table at Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW.


Lace Monitor Varanus varius
This large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) was photographed at Featherdale Wildlife Park NSW
Notice the banding on the head which is often seen on this species

LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
Hatchling Lace Monitors (Varanus varius) are normally brightly coloured but usually the brightness fades fast and the pattern changes over time


LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA

LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
The Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) in the 2 photos above was photographed at Bongil Bongil National Park, NSW - it was about 1 meter long (3ft) seen crossing the road, it allowed us to approach it to take these photos.

LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
The Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) we saw in this tree was photographed at Bongil Bongil National Park, NSW. It was about 1 meter long (3ft)


This beautifully patterned Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) was one of four that I photographed at Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW

LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
The Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) in the photo above was seen crossing the road at Bongil Bongil National Park, NSW. and it ran up this tree as soon as we stopped the car to avoid running it over. It was approximately 4 ft long (1.25 meters).

Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Alexandra Park Zoo, Bundaberg, Qld
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Alexandra Park Zoo, Bundaberg, Qld


Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Alexandra Park Zoo, Bundaberg, Qld
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Alexandra Park Zoo, Bundaberg, Qld



A large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Crowdy Gap Campground, near Harrington, NSW


Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Mt, Tambourine,Qld.
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Mt, Tambourine,Qld.

 

Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Mt, Tambourine,Qld.
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Mt, Tambourine,Qld.


LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
This hatchling Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) was given to the late George Cann (Jr.) as an egg found by a member of the public.
(It was not known what species of reptile was in the egg till it hatched)


Lace Monitor Varanus varius
This half grown Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) was photographed at Venman Bushland National Park Qld.
Notice the very long tail!


This Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) , was photographed at
This Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) , was photographed at
Borumba Dam, QLD


LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA The late Joe Bredl with a Lace monitor at the Renmark Reptile Park and Zoo (which closed in 2012)
The late Joe Bredl with a Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) at the Renmark Reptile Park and Zoo (which closed in 2012)


Lace Monitor Varanus varius
Bark is falling off the tree under the weight of this large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) seen along the Googik Track, Port Macquarie, NSW (Copyright 2022 John Fowler & Rachel Barnes)

LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)


 Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)



Monitor lizards have long forked tongues similar to snakes tongues, that they use to taste the air as they search for food. This one was photographed at Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW (Copyright 2022 John Fowler & Rachel Barnes)



A half grown Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed on the side of the road at Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW


A large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Diamond Head Campground, NSW
A large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Diamond Head Campground, NSW


LACE MONITOR Varanus varius THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
The Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) above was photographed near Hill End, NSW
This common form above may be confused with the Heath Monitor (Varanus rosenbergi)
The Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) often has a" barred" pattern on its nose and throat and broad bands on its tail.


Lace Monitor Varanus varius sign
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following pictures are of the "Bell's" or banded phase of the lace monitor.
The bells phase lace monitors tend to be much more commonly encountered on the west side of the great dividing range.
This form occurs alongside "normal" patterned lace monitors and will occur in the same clutch as normal lace monitors.



"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor Varanus varius

"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor Varanus varius
The 2 photos above are of a captive "Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)

"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Bundaberg Zoo, Qld
"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Alexandra Park Zoo, Bundaberg, Qld



"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Alexandra Park Zoo, Bundaberg, Qld


"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Bundaberg Zoo, Qld
"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) photographed at Alexandra Park Zoo, Bundaberg, Qld


"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor Varanus varius
"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)


"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor Varanus varius
"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)

"Bell's" or banded phase of Lace Monitor Varanus varius
Although this photo of a "Bell's" phase of Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) is not very good quality, as it was taken at a distance from the boardwalk at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, Port Macquarie, NSW, you can still clearly see its forked tongue.
It is not unusual to see "Bells" phase Lace Monitors in this region where normal patterned Lace Monitors seem to be abundant.



LINKS OF INTEREST

Australian Monitor Lizards
by John Fowler

Wild Recon: Lace Monitor Venom
Animal Planet
VIDEO

RECOMMENDED AMAZON BOOKS
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OTHER LINKS OF INTEREST

Find a Random species of Australian Reptile

Visit the Australian Herpetology Website

Monitors of The World

Monitors of Australia

Monitors
of
The World

Monitors
of
Australia


AUSTRALIAN MONITOR SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY

Monitors of South Australia

MONITOR LIZARDS Goannas Varanids Varanidae NSW

Queensland MONITOR LIZARDS Goannas Varanids Varanidae

NORTHERN TERRITORY MONITOR LIZARDS Goannas Varanids Varanidae

WESTERN AUSTRALIA MONITOR LIZARDS Goannas Varanids Varanidae

Monitors of Victoria - Goannas Varanids Varanidae

ACT MONITOR LIZARDS Goannas Varanids Varanidae

Monitors
of South
Australia

Monitors
of
NSW

Monitors
of
Qld

Monitors
of
NT

Monitors
of
WA

Monitors
of
Victoria

Monitors
of the
ACT


AUSTRALIAN REPTILE SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY

Reptiles of South Australia
REPTILES OF VICTORIA
 REPTILES OF NSW REPTILES OF QUEENSLAND REPTILES OF NORTHERN TERRITORY REPTILES OF Western Australia Reptiles of the ACT(Canberra)

Reptiles of South Australia

Reptiles
of
Victoria

Reptiles
of
NSW

Reptiles
of
Qld

Reptiles
of
NT

Reptiles
of
WA

Reptiles
of the
ACT

Reptiles of Tasmania

MORE REPTILE SPECIES LISTS

Reptiles of Lord Howe Island

Reptiles of Christmas Island

Reptiles
of Cocos Keeling Islands

Reptiles of Norfolk Island

Reptiles of Australia

Selection of Australian Frogs

Reptiles of the World

Amphibians of the World

Reptiles
of
Australia

Frogs
of
Australia

Reptiles
of
The World

Amphibians of the
World





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Contact John Fowler Author of the Australian Herpetology Website

Contact John Hollister Author of John Hollister Reptile Collection - Herping the Trans-Pecos & Sweetwater, Texas Rattlesnake Roundup

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Updated April 10, 2024


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