Common water monitor
Varanus salvator, also known as Water Varanus (two-part nomenclature: Varanus salvator) is a species of lizard in the Varanidae family. This species was first scientifically described by Laurenti in 1768. It is a large, mid-sized lizard capable of growing to a length of 3.21 m (10.5 ft), with an average size of most adults are 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) long. The maximum weight of water monitors can reach more than 25 kg (55 lb), but most reach half that. Their bodies are muscular with long, powerful tails. The water monitor is one of the most common lizards found throughout Asia, and ranges from Sri Lanka, India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula and various islands of Indonesia, living in areas near water.
Description
The water monitor is a large lizard. Reproductive maturity is reached for males at a relatively modest 40 cm in length and 1 kg in weight, and for females at 50 cm. However, they grow much larger throughout their lives, with males larger than females. Adults rarely exceed 1.5 – 2 m in length, but the largest specimen recorded in Sri Lanka measured 3.21 m. The common adult weight of V. salvator can be 19.5 kg. However, the 80 males killed for the skin trade in Sumatra weighed an average of only 3.42 kg, had a snout-to-belly length of 56.6 cm, and a total length of 142 cm; The 42 females averaged only 3.52 kg and measured 59 cm from snout to belly for a total length of 149.6 cm, although oversized specimens without skin weighed between 16 and 20 kg. Another study from the same region by the same authors similarly estimated a mean body mass for adult specimens of 20 kg while another study found a series of adults weighing 7. 6kg. The maximum weight of the species is more than 50 kg. In exceptional cases, this species has been reported to reach weights of 75 to 90 kg, although most such reports are unverified and may not be reliable. They are the second heaviest lizards in the world, after the Komodo dragon. Their bodies are very muscular, with long, strong tails that flatten to one side.
Etymology
The generic name Varanus is derived from the Arabic waral (waral), which translates as “overseer”. The specific name is from the Latin word for “savior”, indicating possible religious significance. Water monitor lizards are sometimes confused with crocodile monitor lizards (V. salvadorii) because of their similar scientific names.
In Thailand, the local word for water guardian, hia (), is used as a derogatory term for bad, bad things, including bad people. This word is also believed to bring bad luck, so some people like to call animals “silver and gold” () to avoid bad luck.
The origin of this derogatory meaning can be traced back to the time when many people living in rural areas were close by to monitor lizards. Traditionally, Thai villagers lived in two-story houses; The top floor is used for living, while the ground floor is designed as a space for domestic animals such as pigs, chickens, and dogs. Water monitors would enter the ground floor and eat or injure household pets, hence the other name dtua gin gai (‘chicken-eater’).
In Indonesian and Malay, the water monitor is called biawak air, to distinguish it from the biawak pasir (“sand lizard”), Leiolepis belliana.
Subspecies
Asian Water Supervisor, V. s. salvator, the nominate subspecies, is currently restricted to Sri Lanka, where it is known as kabaragoya (කබරගොයා) in Sinhala and kalawathan in Tamil.
Andaman Islands Water Monitor, V. s. andamanensis, found on the Andaman Islands; Typical locality is Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
Two-stripe water monitor, V. s. bivittatus, common in Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Ombai (Alor), Wetar and some neighboring islands in the Sunda arch, Indonesia; type locality is Java (specified by Mertens 1959).
Black water monitor, V. s. komaini, from Thailand (type locality: Amphoe La-ngu, Satun Prov., Thailand, and Thai-Malaysian border area), formerly a subspecies, but now considered a synonym of With. macromaculatus.
Southeast Asia country watcher, V. s. macromaculatus (type locality: Siam found in mainland Southeast Asia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo and related smaller offshore islands.
Ziegler’s water monitor, V. s. ziegleri, from Obi Island.
Varanus cumingi, Varanus marmoratus and Varanus nuchalis were classified as subspecies until 2007, when they were elevated to full species status.
Behavior and diet
Water monitors defend themselves with their tails, claws and jaws. They are excellent swimmers, using the raised fins on their tails to steer through the water. They are carnivores and have a variety of foods. They are known to eat fish, frogs, rodents, birds, crabs and snakes. They are also known to eat turtles, as well as young crocodiles and crocodile eggs. Like Komodo dragons, they often eat carrion. Water monitors have been observed eating catfish in a similar manner to mammalian carnivores, tearing off pieces of meat with their sharp teeth while holding it with their front legs and then separating the parts. different types of fish for sequential consumption.
Conserve
In Nepal, it is a protected species in Chitwan National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act 2002. In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance Section 170. Malaysia, this species is one of the most common wild animals around, with numbers comparable to the number of monkeys there. Although many species fall prey to humans due to roadkill and animal cruelty, they still thrive in most states of Malaysia, especially in the bush regions of Malaysia. eastern coastal states such as Pahang and Terengganu. In the eastern coastal states of Malaysia, this species is very common in traffic accidents. In Thailand, all lizards are protected species. This display is exploited by the pet trade.
They are hunted for their skins, with up to 1.5 million skins being exported each year to Europe, America, and Japan for use in fashion items. They also get to eat. Habitat loss and hunting have exterminated water monitor species in most of mainland India. In other areas, they survive despite being hunted, in part because larger animals, including large females that breed in large numbers, have tough skins that are undesirable.
In Sri Lanka, they are protected by locals who value the hunt for “crabs that can erode the banks of rice fields”.
