We hope that each of you, our readers, will enjoy and appreciate this article we present about these 4 Novel New Guinea Reptiles. It was certainly our pleasure to compile the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.
These few species listed herein represent only a portion of the natural wonders found throughout the region, though. Yet, it’s our belief that they serve as excellent representations of the wonders found here. Check out some of our other articles for similar marvels.
Flatback Sea Turtle
Flatback Sea Turtle Facts
- Leading off this article about 4 Novel New Guinea Reptiles we present the impressive creature known as the Flatback Sea Turtle.
- The gorgeous creature with the common name that we’ve used herein represents one of only seven known species of marine turtle. The respected American herpetologist Samuel Garman became the first scientist to officially describe it, in 1880.
- In contrast to its common name, the amazing reptile also bears the tongue-twisting scientific name of Natator tessellatus. Sadly, its situation is unfortunate. The country within whose borders the beautiful reptile lives presently lists the animal as Vulnerable.
- But, in some respects, it may actually be the least threatened of all known sea turtles. This surprising statement holds true for several reasons. Firstly, it never strays far from the shore. Therefore, it does not become caught in fishing nets.
- Secondly, and thankfully, very little demand for its meat exists among humans. For the moment, though, the IUCN lacks enough data to determine its conservation status. Therefore, the organization currently lists it as Data Deficient on its Red List.
- However, the Flatback Sea Turtle does currently represent the only marine turtle with a highly restricted range. As a result, if for no other reason, the magnificent reptile may be considered to be at some risk, due to the effects of climate change.
Flatback Sea Turtle Physical Description
Regardless of its beauty, the Flatback Sea Turtle ranks as moderate-sized among the seven known types of marine turtle. On average, this species constitutes the third smallest of the seven. Nevertheless, sizes frequently vary quite significantly among individuals.
The animal also displays a moderate degree of the characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its case, this results in mature females being slightly larger than their male counterparts. In addition, the males also typically develop a slightly shorter tail than the female.
Otherwise, both genders of the truly fabulous Flatback Sea Turtle remain visually identical to the untrained observer. The average length of the carapace of the animal equals 30 – 38 in (76 – 96 cm). Adults also attain an average weight of between 155 – 200 lb (70 – 90 kg).
Its shell is what most notably distinguishes it from related species, however. The dome of the carapace has a distinctly flattened shape. This shell also has sharply upturned edges to it. This shell also presents a mottled pattern consisting of shades of gray and olive green.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Testudines
- Family: Cheloniidae
- Genus: Natator
- Species: N. depressus
Flatback Sea Turtle Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The wondrous Flatback Sea Turtle inhabits only one specific portion of the world. Unfortunately, this also qualifies as a highly limited range of habitation. That’s because the fascinating creature only lives within the coastal waters of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
In addition to other problems created, this gives it the smallest habitat range of any marine turtle, by far. It also exhibits decided preferences for its specific habitat requirements. In this, it displays a trait common among its related species around the world.
It appears only in areas consisting of shallow tropical sub-tropical waters, with soft bottoms. It also lives only in shallow depths. In fact, it only dwells in waters with a depth of no more than 200 ft (60 m). This generally includes areas of lagoons, bays, and estuaries.
Research shows that the breathtaking Flatback Sea Turtle mates at sea. The females, however, come ashore to lay their eggs. These she does so in large numbers. Meanwhile, males of the species never leave the sea after reaching it, following their hatching.
Although technically omnivorous, it primarily feeds as a carnivore. The creature feeds mainly on such prey as shrimp, sea cucumbers, jellyfish, and a variety of small mollusks. Mature individuals face few predators, but those mainly consists of sharks.
Philippine sailfin lizard
- Our next choice for inclusion in this compilation of 4 Novel New Guinea Reptiles bears the descriptive appellation of Philippine sailfin lizard.
- This creation of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by the informative common name for wholly understandable reasons. It also has alternate names it’s sometimes called. These include such terms as crested lizard and soa soa water lizard.
- Within scientific circles, however, it’s referred to by yet another title. That’s its formal, scientific name. Unfortunately, that’s a term that’s somewhat hard for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because it bears the technical moniker of Hydrosaurus pustulatus.
- The animal received that difficult title due to the efforts of the Baltic German naturalist, Johann Friedrich Gustav von Eschscholtz. He recorded the first official recognition of the reptile as a separate and distinct species. He managed this feat in the year 1829.
- Sadly, it has long been a target of the exotic pet trade, due to its appearance. Thankfully, though, it now enjoys the status of a protected species in the region of the world it lives in. Nevertheless, illegal hunting of it for that reason still continues across its range.
- Fortunately, the intriguing Philippinie sailfin lizard appears to be maintaining a wild population that’s both sizeable and stable. That situation further seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its territory. The IUCN, thus, now lists it as Least Concern.
- Nonetheless, it still faces several potential threats to its continued existence. Most of these stem from the actions of man. They include such perils as habitat loss and hunting for consumption. Now, however, it faces the threat of ongoing climate change.
Philippine sailfin lizard Physical Description
The Philippine sailfin lizard is one of those marvels of Nature that quickly captivates those who encounter them. Unlike some species, though, it does so for a variety of reasons. Though certainly not its most intriguing aspect, the animal boasts an impressive size.
Like many reptiles, however, it also displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, this trait manifests itself in terms of both size and physical appearance. Though not unknown, that’s somewhat less common.
Regarding size, males of the remarkable creature typically attain a much greater size on average than their female counterparts. Including the lengthy tail, males reach an average length somewhere between 3 – 4 ft (0.91 – 1.2 m). Females average 2 -3 ft (61 – 91 cm).
Despite the difference in length, weights of mature adults remains approximately the same, regardless of gender. This results in many females having a slightly stockier build than the males. Overall, though, fully grown individuals attain weights of about 3 – 5 lbs (1.4 – 2.3 kg).
Yet the Philippine sailfin lizard also displays gender-based differences in terms of the crest, or sailfin. This, thin, upright feature extends from the base of the tail to the lower section of the back. Males of the species develop a larger crest, in addition to bigger heads.
Even the coloring differs between the sexes, though to only a minor degree. This principally consists of a background of dark green and brown. Yellow patches sometimes appear on the back and near the head. The limbs of the male, though, show a darker shade than females.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Agamidae
- Genus: Hydrosaurus
- Species: H. pustulatus
Philippine sailfin lizard Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The amazing Philippine sailfin lizard evolved as endemic to a portion of the world well known for its natural beauty. Its very name indicates part of that range, of course. However, that same moniker is also slightly deceptive, as it appears elsewhere, as well.
The majority of specimens do appear on several of the islands comprising the Philippines. It does not, though, live on Palawan Island. A smaller population also makes its home in New Guinea, and a small part of Indonesia. It’s unknown if it ever lived anywhere else.
Like many related species, the animal also displays decided strong preferences for its choice of habitat. Due to this instinctive tendency, though, its choices remain somewhat limited. The reptile makes its home almost exclusively in regions of tropical wooded areas.
Yet the wonder of Nature also requires close proximity to calm or slow-moving water. This includes such diverse regions as riverbanks, magnrove areas, and even rice fields. The specifically evolved animal further prefers the presence of loosely piled rocky debris.
Still following a pattern common to its relatives, the Philippine sailfin lizard developed as an omnivore. Intriguingly, it strikes a very even balance between meat and plants. Its diet thus consists of such food sources as fruits, leaves, insects, and even smaller crustaceans.
The species additionally evolved a diurnal in nature. Individuals spend the majority of the day sunning themselves. Breeding occurs once per year, though the female may lay several clutches. Each of these typically produces between 2 – 8 eggs each, placed in shallow pits.
New Guinea Crocodile
New Guinea Crocodile Facts
- Appearing here in this gathering of 4 Novel New Guinea Reptiles we give you the powerful predator named the New Guinea Crocodile.
- This impressive, reclusive reptile most frequently goes by the informative common that we choose to use in this article. It also possesses several alternate monikers, though. These include such diverse terms as Singapore large grain and Buaya air tawar.
- Most professionals, such as researchers, typically refer to it by its formal, scientific name, however. That, though, is another of the tongue-twisting terms so prevalent in the field. This wonder bears the technical name of the Crocodylus novaeguineae.
- The American herpetologist, Karl Patterson Schmidt made the first formal recognition of the animal as a separate and distinct species. This scientifically noteworthy deed occurred in the year 1928. Experts previously considered it a subspecies, but no longer.
- Thankfully, this marvel of Nature appears to be maintaining a population base across its range that’s both sizeable and stable. This further seems to hold true despite the past depredations inflicted upon its population by mankind, prior to conservation efforts.
- Due to these fortunate factors, it holds a status all too rare these days. That’s because the IUCN currently lists the New Guinea Crocodile as a Species of Least Concern. That status is reflected in the organization’s published Red List of Threatened Species.
- This reptilian wonder nevertheless faces potential threats. These, though, are those shared to various degrees by most species. Habitat degradation and loss, due to human expansion remain real threats. Its greatest danger, though, is likely climate change.
New Guinea Crocodile Physical Description
Like most of its relatives, the dazzling New Guinea Crocodile easily impresses those who encounter it. It manages to do so despite one fact, though. That’s due to the fact that it ranks as a small variety of crocodilian. That, however, still leaves it ranked as a large reptile.
The remarkable animal also follows another pattern held to by most of its brethren. That holds true due to the fact it displays a moderate degree of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, though, this physiological characteristic manifests itself in terms of sheer size.
More specifically, the males of the species attain a larger physical length than their female counterparts. The males reach a maximum known length measuring as much as 11 ft (3.5 m). These same individuals further reach weights equaling as much as 650 lb (295 kg).
The females, meanwhile, grow only about 8.9 ft (2.7 m). These tend to have a somewhat stockier build than males, though. Despite the difference in length, the two genders attain approximately the same weight. Most, of either sex, though, remains somewhat smaller.
The body of the New Guinea Crocodile presents an intriguing design. Its color scheme ranges from brown to dark gray. It also presents dark bands on both the body and the tail. These, however, generally tend to become less obvious as the individual grows in size.
Its snout widens as the individual ages, begninning life much narrower in construction. An intriguing characteristic further sets it apart from its relatives. Lengthwise ridges near the eyes, and a set of granular scales on the neck form a pattern unique to the species.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Crocodilia
- Family: Crocodylidae
- Genus: Crocodylus
- Species: C. novaeguineae
New Guinea Crocodile Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Unfortunately, both for the animal itself, as well as those of us who appreciate Nature, the New Guinea Crocodile evolved as native to an extremely limited area. That region of the globe lies within a portion of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It’s better known as Oceana.
As its very name suggests, that zone of habitation falls within the boundaries of the island of New Guinea. That location futher lies roughly 93 mi (150 km) from the continent of Australia. Even there, though, it only lives in the more northern section, especially inland.
Within that limited area, however, it makes the most of its opportunities. That’s due to the fact that it makes its home in several different types of ecosystems. These consist of regions of marshes and swamps, as well as many of the lakes found in that part of the island.
Though individuals rarely venture into areas close to the coast, it does happen on occasion. There, it survives in partially brackish waters, where the freshwater and sea partially combine. Yet, the animal never appears in areas where the larger Saltwater Crocodile lives.
Like most of its related creatures, the magnificent New Guinea Crocodile evolved as a primarily aquatic species. It’s also principally a nocturnal animal. Individuals typically spend the majority of the day underwater, with only their eyes and nostrils above the surface.
It also feeds opportunistically, as others of its kind. The diet mainly consists of various fish species, of course. Nonetheless, individuals consume virtually any prey of sufficient size it encounters. In addition to fish, this includes frogs, crabs, snakes, shrimp, birds, and others.
Mangrove Monitor
Mangrove Monitor Facts
- Closing out this compendium of 4 Novel New Guinea Reptiles is the highly intriguing creature imformatively named the Mangrove Monitor.
- This majestic creation of Nature is most frequently known by the descriptive common name throughout its range. It also has a few other, less often used titles. Those include such terms as the mangrove goanna and Western Pacific monitor lizard.
- Scientific professionals, however, tend to refer to the creature by its official moniker. Thankfully, that’s a comparatively simple name for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because this remarkable reptile holds the formal name of Varanus indicus.
- The noted French zoologist, François Marie Daudin, holds the distinction of being the first person to formally acknowledge it as a separate and distinct species, in 1802. He, however, gave it a different name. It first bore the title Tupinambis indicus.
- Later research changed that to the moniker applied today. This took time, though, due to ongoing research and new insights into its place in evolution. The intriguing lizard eventually acquired the appellation it holds now roughly 100 years later.
- No matter what one calls it, the Mangrove Monitor seems to be maintaining a population base that’s both sufficient and stable. That pleasant trend also appears to hold true throughout the entirety of its range. The IUCN thus lists it as Least Concern.
- It nevertheless does faces some potential threats to its continued existence as a species. Most of these stem from the actions of humans. In some regions, it’s actively hunted for its flesh and skin. Its greatest peril, however, likely comes from climate change.
Mangrove Monitor Physical Description
The magnificent Mangrove Monitor easily merits the admiration and appreciation of those who encounter it. Its visual appeal certainly plays a factor in that, of course. Yet, its sheer physical dimensions also help the reptile to acquire that same degree of notice.
That’s true since the reptile achieves some very respectable measurements. One gender of the intriguing species especially does so. That’s true since the fascinating animal displays a strong degree of the physiological characteristic known as sexual dimorphism.
In its case, this trait manifests itself in terms of pure physical size. More specifically, males attain a significantly greater size than their female counterparts. This situation commonly occurs among its kindred, but few display the principl to quite this degree.
Mature males of the lizard grow to lengths equaling between 3.5 – 4 ft (1.1 – 1.2 m). It must be noted, however, that the majority of that’s tail, which usually measures almost twice the length of the body! Males also reach weights of as much as 4.2 lb (1.9 kg).
Females of the Mangrove Monitor reach much shorter lengths, though. They also evolved as slimmer in body shape. These tend to be only around half the length of their counterparts. Being less stocky than males, they generally only weigh around 1.1 lb (0.5 kg).
It also displays an interesting coloring. Both genders show either a black or dark green background onthe upper part of the body. The stomach, though, tends to be a cream color, without markings. Golden-yellow spots on a lighter background show on the top of the head.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Varanidae
- Genus: Varanus
- Species: V. indicus
Mangrove Monitor Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The gorgeous Mangrove Monitor evolved as native to a reasonably large region of the world. The general area, though, likely won’t surprise many people. That’s true since it developed as endemic to a range that occurs entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, south of Asia.
More precisely, its known native zone of habitation for the amazing species extends from northern Australia and New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. Within that territory, it appears in scattered regions. That’s partly because it lives on literally hundreds of islands.
Within that broad range, though, it displays decided preference in its choice of habitat. Its very name supplies a clear indication of the nature of those preferences, to be certain. As evidenced by that title, it mainly lives in regions comprising dense mangrove forests.
Yet this marvel of Nature also lives in other, very similar locations within its range. These include areas of damp forests close to coastal rivers, and even permanent inland lakes. It’s one of only two known varieties of monitor lizard capable of surviving in such a habitat.
The Mangrove Monitor achieves that due to its having salt-excreting nasal glands. These allow it to survive there, and even consume marine prey. It thus feeds opportunistically, and as a pure carnivore. It consumes such prey as insects, rodents, crustaceans, among others.
Males fight fiercely for females during mating season. Following mating, though, the female lays 2 – 12 eggs that hatch in seven to eight months. In captivity, the remarkable creature lives for up to 20 years. Currently, though, its lifespan in the wild remains undetermined.
4 Novel New Guinea Reptiles
We hope that each of you enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning from, this article we’ve written about these 4 Novel New Guinea Reptiles. It’s also our hope that doing so has left you with either a new or renewed appreciation for such wonders of Nature.
Unfortunately, however, many of their kindred around the world now find themselves facing strong threats to their continued existence as a species. Many of those dangers, in fact, stem from the actions of mankind. We must do all we can to protect and preserve them all.
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