Varanus similis

Adult captive bred V. similis, female.

This member of the timorensis – complex  lives in the southern part of New Guinea and was frequenly imported some years ago. The status of the whole complex is rather difficult, but in 1988 Wilson & Knowles stated that all similis from Australia was V. scalaris and similis only exists on New Guinea. There are people working with DNA-analyses to seperate the members, but so far nothing is written about it. Similis reaches up to 50 – 55 cm.

A few days old V. similis.

Even though many animals have been imported, there are only very few captive bred animals. They live more or less aboreal in dry forrests with one rain period every year. To stimulate the mating season similis should be kept dry through  the year with a cooling period in September – October followed by a very wet period. They prey upon various kinds of food and besides insects and small rodents they can be fed with rainworms and small fish. Similis are very calm animals that behave totally different from their nearest relative V. timorensis. They are always in the open and show themself at all times. Timorensis are often shy and flee  as soon as anyone gets near the terrarium.  We have kept a captive bred pair  for a few years, but have no breeding results.