• Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Photo Ark

Mertens Water Monitor

Varanus mertensi

Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Endangered

Varanus mertensi was formerly very common, but now only occasional animals are encountered in areas where Cane Toads exist. There has been a decline in more that 30% in the Northern Territory - and in some areas as high as 93% (Doody et al. 2009) - over the past 15 years, due to the species' predation on the introduced and highly toxic Cane Toad (Rhinella marina). Two of three studies of subpopulations in the Kimberley and the Northern Territory (Doody et al. 2013, 2014) reported declines of 84-93% within 3-4 years following Cane Toad invasion, with the third reporting declines ... Read More

The typical diet of this species includes frogs, and with the arrival of introduced and toxic Cane Toads to its range populations of this monitor lizard have rapidly declined. It is listed as vulnerable in the Northern Territory as it is very susceptible to the toxins produce by the cane toad (Ward et al. 2006). An 18-month study at Manton Dam Recreation Area reported evidence of rapid decline in both abundance and site occupancy of this species eight months after cane toads reached this area, and an overall decline in abundance by nearly 80% between December 2004 and May 2006 ... Read More

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Shea, G., Woinarski, J. & Macdonald, S.M, Cogger, H. 2018. Varanus mertensi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T83778246A101752340. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T83778246A101752340.en