Close up shot of a mertens' water monitor, varanus mertensi basking on midstream rock at daytime, wildlife species endemic to northern Australia

mertens water monitor varanus mertensi animal reptile wild wildlife species lizard northern australia endemic predator habitat aquatic environment endangered conservation zoo threatened scale skin creek lagoon camouflage log fauna nature natural waterway basking shore river coastal goanna park territory national litchfield rest chill relax close up australian stream western swamp