Monitors: The Biology of Varanid Lizards [Paperback]

Dennis King (Author), Brian Green (Author), Frank Knight (Illustrator), Keith Newgrain (Illustrator), Jo Eberhard (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1575241129 | ISBN-13: 978-1575241128 | Publication Date: June 1999 | Edition: 2 Sub

Australia is home to a rich and unique fauna, but few Australian animals are as intriguing as the monitor lizard. Their abundance and bold behavior have made them a familiar favorite with generations of Australian bush walkers, campers, and even picnickers. In an easy-to-read style,Monitors covers the fascinating natural history of these ancient animals, which includes the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon. This book is an update of the successful 1993 Australian Natural History Series title, Goanna. Since the publication of the first edition, many major studies have been undertaken on Australian, Asian, and African species of monitors (goannas) and much fascinating new information regarding varanid lizards has emerged. For instance, research on Varanus albigularis has revealed that they can count, while work on Varanus salvator shows that they swim in the ocean when not searching for food. These findings plus other new information in areas as diverse as taxonomy, diet, breeding behavior, and energetics have been incorporated into this text. Two new additions are a chapter on parasites of varanids and a section on foraging strategy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Krieger Pub Co; 2 Sub edition (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575241129
• ISBN-13: 978-1575241128
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,105,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good, but not great, July 21, 2006

By 

J. Burokas "krusty" (Palm Harbor, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monitors: The Biology of Varanid Lizards (Paperback)

focuses almost exclusively on V. rosenbergi studies and little else on other species of varanus. has some good general data on preferred temperature ranges, metabolic rates, and other data related to scientific studies of varanids but misses the mark that most people who purchase these books are herpetoculturists/hobbyists. They want to know data on all species related to diet, humidity, habitat, etc to create a functional environment for their kept species. for that, i give it 3 stars out of 5. it misses the mark for hobbyists.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE Reference on Monitors, September 1, 2010

By 

Lindsay Thorogood (Ferndale, Western Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monitors: The Biology of Varanid Lizards (Paperback)

This is a brief but comprehensive review of up to date knowledge on the biology of the Varanids. This would have to be the best reference, on these interesting and beautiful creatures, you can own. It is informative, succint and very easy and engaging to read. It covers the main aspects of varanid biology within an evolutionary frame of reference. It is set out in such a way that you can find detailed information on each of the major species, sometimes down to sub-species level.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource on varanids, July 21, 2004

By 

W. Paul W. "Paul White" (Amarillo, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monitors: The Biology of Varanid Lizards (Paperback)

I will state right now that this book is not, IMHO, an easy read, or a particularly fluid read.
However, it is very informative, containing much information about the natural habits and ecology of varanid lizards. My main complaint is that the book seems to use V. rosenbergi as it's archetypal varanid; there are some 9 sub genera and several dozen species, and I wish that more attention had been payed to the some of the other varanids. However, this is still one of the few good monitor books that's actually in print, and is worth your read weather you're an academic herpetologist or a keeper (or for that matter if you are thinking about keeping a monitor). It provides insights that are sorely lacking in most other (in print) books, espically in regards to the thermal biology, water useage, and the diet of these lizards. It's easily worth your effort to read it.
The discussions about taxonomy are also great, and informative in regards to how gene sequencing is being used to establish relationships and derivations between species.