Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Dumeril's monitor

Varanus dumerilii

Hermann Schlegel, 1839

In Thai: ตุ๊ดตู่, tud dtoo

Dumeril's monitor (Varanus dumerilii) is a species of lizard, endemic to Southeast Asia. It is a member of the family Varanidae.

Etymology

The specific name, dumerilii, is a Latinized form of the name of the scientist who first described this species, French herpetologist André Marie Constant Duméril.

Geographic range

Dumeril's monitor is found in southern Burma and north of the Isthmus of Kra to Tak Province in Thailand, as well as in Peninsular Malaysia, throughout Borneo, Sumatra, Riau, Bangka–Belitung and other smaller islands of Indonesia.

Their habitat is dense evergreen forests with high humidity and mangrove swamps.

Diet

This monitor is a crab specialist; however, it has been observed eating snails, insects, molluscs, fish, frogs, and smaller rodents. Little is known overall about this species compared to other monitor lizards.

Description

Adult Dumeril's monitors are largely dark coffee-brown in colour, with occasional brighter indistinct crossbars. For juveniles the colors and patterns are quite different. "The major color is a dark varnish black which is interrupted by several yellow crossways bars on the back." Juveniles have shiny orange red or, sometimes yellow heads. This youth coloration disappears after only 4–8 weeks. Adult Dumeril's can reach up to 4.5 m in total length (including tail) although typical length is 4 m long.

Subspecies

There are two described subspecies:

  • Varanus dumerilii dumerilii
  • Varanus dumerilii heteropholis

Note: Sprackland made V. d. heteropholis a synonym of V. d. dumerilii

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Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Subphylum
Vertebrata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Suborder
Lacertilia
Family
Varanidae
Genus
Varanus
Species
Varanus dumerilii

Common names

  • German: Dumerilwaran
  • English: Dumeril monitor
  • Thai:
    • ตุ๊ดตู่, tud dtoo
    • เห่าช้างขาว, hao chang kao

Subspecies

  • Varanus dumerilii dumerilii, Hermann Schlegel, 1839

    Range: Thailand, Myanmar, West Malaysia, Indonesia, Sarawak, Singapore

  • Varanus dumerilii heteropholis, George Albert Boulenger, 1892

    Range: Sarawak, Malaysia

Synonyms

  • Varanus (Empagusia) dumerilii, André Koch (2013)
  • Varanus dumerilii, Eric Rodger Pianka & Laurie Joseph Vitt (2003)
  • Varanus dumerilii, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Varanus (Empagusia) dumerilii, Thomas Ziegler & Wolfgang Böhme (1997)
  • Varanus dumerilii, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
  • Varanus dumerili dumerilii, H.F. De Lisle (1996)
  • Varanus dumerili heteropholis, H.F. De Lisle (1996)
  • Varanus dumerili heteropholis, Robert Mertens (1942)
  • Varanus (Tectovaranus) dumerilii dumerilii, Robert Mertens (1942)
  • Varanus dumerili, Nelly de Rooij (1915)

Photos

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Varanus dumerilii - Kaeng Krachan National Park

Range Map

Distribution map of Dumeril's monitor, Varanus dumerilii in Thailand
  • Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Nan National Park
  • Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Pu - Khao Ya National Park
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Na Yong District, Trang
  • Phuket Province
  • Sai Yok National Park
  • Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest
  • Tai Rom Yen National Park
  • Thap Put District, Phang Nga
  • Thong Pha Phum National Park
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Umphang District, Tak
Range map of Varanus dumerilii in Thailand