Merten?s Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus mertensi ). Manning Gorge, Kimberleys, Western Australia. Found along small streams and creeks in tropical northern Australia. Often seen sunning on exposed rocks. Superb swimmer, eating fish, frogs, shrimps and crabs in the Wet Season. Can hold breath for several minutes. In the Dry Season when streams become pools or dry up completely they eat insects, birds eggs, spiders ants, small mammals and carrion. Lay 10-14 eggs in burrows 50cm deep. Eggs hatch from 182-316 days depending on the temperature.