This distinctive species was described in 1998. They are the largest of the indicus-complex species with captive individuals known to reach six feet. Unsubstantiated reports exist of specimens as large as seven feet.
Varanus yuwonoi is known mainly from mountainous forests up to 300 meters in elevation. They are found in close proximity to streams during the dry season and move further up in elevation during the wet. While often encountered on the ground, this species climbs well and is believed to be semi-arboreal. This species is said to be difficult to find in the wild and is believed to be an ambush predator. |