V. yemenensis courtesy of F. Hulbert

Varanus yemenensis is a member of the subgenera Polydaedalus. The coloration is dark brownish with indistinct dark crossbands, which are more distinct on the tail. The color of the last third of the tail is yellowish. A yellow band is visible across the snout in front of the eyes. The slit-like nostrils are situated just in front of the eyes.
Frontlegs are more strongly developed than the hindlegs, also having stronger claws. The color is yellowish, whereas the hindlegs have the same color as the body, but with distinct yellow spots. The tail is strongly compressed laterally, with a double keel. Nuchal scales only slightly larger than those on the dorsum.
This monitor species can reach a total length of up to 140 cm with a SVL of up to 60 cm.

Varanus yemenensis occurs at tha base of the Tihama Mountains in the southwest of the Arabic Peninsula. There you will find the animals in the region between 300 and 1800 m. Sometimes V. yemenensis foreages in the fields, which are surrounded with thick bushes (SCHÄTTI & FORTINA 1987, BÖHME et al. 1989). No animals are found close to the coastline.
The terra typica is the thorn-bush savannah and the dry forest. Warm temperatures with seasonal rainfalls during the summer months August and September are the climatic conditions.
V. yemenensis is a ground dwelling monitor, which also can climb tress from time to time. They will shelter in self dug burrows between rocks and fallen tree trunks.
V. yemenensis is often found close to water. The major food items are beetles and snails, which were encountered in the droppings of free living monitors.

Animals of this species nee a fairly large enclosure. The furnishing should be made out of large tree trunks and rocks, which should be secured, so that the animals could not move them during digging. A large water basin is essential. As food you should offer mice, chicken, fish, crickets, locusts, and cockroaches.
Nothing is published on captive husbandry yet.