Zoo News: Buffalo Zoo welcomes male emerald tree monitor

You might want to monitor this new Zoo arrival.

The Buffalo Zoo recently welcomed a male emerald tree monitor, who is now on exhibit in the Donna M. Fernandes Amphibian and Reptile Center!

The new lizard is 5 years old and comes to Buffalo from the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. His arrival marks the first time the Buffalo Zoo has had an emerald tree monitor in our history.

The species hails from the rainforests of New Guinea and several of its adjacent islands and can grow to around three feet in length, with its tail about twice the length of its body.

Its eye-catching, lime green to turquoise coloring helps it camouflage in with foliage, as the lizards typically dwell in tropical trees. Additionally, its tail that’s capable of grasping, large claws and enlarged scales on the soles of its feet make it well adapted to climbing and traversing branches.

Emerald tree monitors are in the same extant genus as many other large lizards residing in their region, including most notably the Komodo dragon.

In the wild, the lizards feed on tree-dwelling insects as well as small mammals and birds.

Be sure to say hello to the Zoo’s newest reptile during your next visit.