Underwater Lacies

[Fuscus]

I was taking to a local Renmarkian today, a very intellegent and observent person, and he claimed to have startled a lace monitor which ran up a tree to a branch which broke, dropping both lizard and branch into the Murray. The lizard was not sighted again and was assumed to have stayed underwater.

So does anyone have any information about the lace monitors ( only lacies NOT Mertians or anyother monitor , nor am I interested in tigers, alpachas or the African speckeled hunting budgie) underwater ability, either breathholding or underwater swimming?

 

[craig.a.c]

I was under the impresion that all lizards, such as goannas and lacies were great swimmers.

 

[Snake Catcher Victoria]

yes they swim real well..i chased one into a river not far from yea victoria,,,swam like a waterdragon,didnt miss a beat..i reckon they can dive to..

 

[Crocboy]

My lacey can stay under water for long enough for me to give up timing after about 7mins, watch TV for a while, then remember what i was doing, then i get worried about it and get him out the water! It will also sleep in water all night (with its nose out a little bit) and swim in it all day. I have no scientific explaination though.

 

[AGAMIDAE]

its quite possible Mark that all your monitor would have that ability given the chance.

 

[Already_Gone]

nor am I interested in tigers, alpachas or the African speckeled hunting budgie

mental note... dont read funny stuff with a mouthful of coffee!!! It makes a mess!!!

 

[Stevo]

RE: Re: Underwater Lacies

I have seen the same thing fuscus but i had a better viewpoint as i was up the tree also, and what amazed me is when it hit the water the speed it swam at. It was about 2 feet under the surface and and swam like a croc with its legs along side its body. The bloke you are talking about probably didnt see it take off under water as they are that fast. The one i saw swam about 200 metres upstream in a blink of an eye and remained still under the bank.

 

[PilbaraPythons]

RE: Re: Underwater Lacies

My large female lace monitor would regularly sleep underwater with just the tip of its nose protruding the surface. I have also seen on occassions her lying completely underwater motionless. When I first saw this behavior I thought it had drowned. Indicus is currently looking after this reptile but I don't think he has a water dish in her cage bigger enough for her to do it any more
Dave.