Varanus insulanicus

Black-spotted ridge-tailed monitor

TAXONOMY: V. baritji has been synonymized with V. acanthurus insulanicus, however because of nomenclatural priority, Varanus insulanicus Mertens, 1958 is now considered a distinct species.

DISTRIBUTION: The northern region of the Northern Territory (see Pavón-Vázquez et al. 2022) and compare with Auliya & Koch 2020)

RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern (LC) in 2017 [this assessment referred to V. baritji]

CITES: Appendix II

NATIONAL PROTECTION: According to the Australian EPCT Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act) of 1999, the commercial export of live specimens is prohibited

THREATS: …

RESEARCH NEEDS: Population ecological studies that provide data on density, home range size and activity levels; assess potential threats that could negatively affect the abundance of regional populations

CURRENT PROJECTS: At present unknown

Adult Varanus cf. insulanicus, Northern Territory © Anders Zimmy; [This individuals was formerly considered as V. baritji].