Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)

Goanna, Monitor, PerentieBlack Headed Goanna Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) Perentie Pygmy Mulga Goanna Sand Goanna

The Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) is the second-largest monitor in Australia after the perentie, known to reach up to 2 metres in total length. The tail is about 1.5 times the length of the head and body, with the tail being cylindrical at its base, then becomes laterally compressed towards the tip. The females are generally smaller then the male.

Also known as the tree goanna, there are two forms of Lace Monitors:

The main form is dark grey to dull bluish-black with numerous, scattered, cream-coloured spots. The head is black and the snout is marked with prominent black and yellow bands extending under the chin and neck. The tail has narrow black and cream bands, which are narrow and get wider towards the end of the tail. Juveniles have more defined and prominent banding, with five narrow black bands on the neck and eight bands on the body.

The other type, known as Bell’s form, is typically found in west of the Great Dividing Range from Woodgate, Eidsvold, and Mitchell in Queensland to Bourke, Macksville and Port Macquarie in New South Wales. It has also been reported from Healesville, Rushworth, and Murchison in Victoria and the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. It has a base colour of yellow-brown or yellow with fine black mottling and broad, black or dark brown bands from the shoulders to the tail. The top of the head is black.
Source: Lace monitor, Wikipedia²