What is a monitor lizard?
Monitor lizards are a family of lizards that contain some of the largest species of lizards in the world. They can be of various sizes but are characterized by long necks and tails, well-defined limbs, and an elongated body.
species: varanus
family: varanidae
kingdom: Animalia
weight: 79-91 kgs
Gestation: 4 to 8 months
Life span: 20 years
Monitor lizards are native to Africa, Asia and Oceania, and one species is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. About 80 species are recognized. They are powerful creatures, with powerful limbs for digging, powerful jaws, and blunt, peg-like teeth. Skin color patterns vary depending on the substrate of the local habitat. They are usually dark gray with a light brown or yellowish pattern. The scales on the body are large, usually fewer than 100 scales around the body, the tail is partially flattened with a double ridge, and the nostrils are equidistant from the eyes. The adult length of extant species ranges from 20 cm (7.9 in) in some species, to more than 3 m. Most monitor species are terrestrial but arboreal and semi-aquatic monitor species are also known. While most of them are carnivores, eating eggs, smaller reptiles, fish, birds, insects and smaller mammals, some also eat fruits and plants depending on where they live. Young lizards eat invertebrates. As they mature, they begin to eat vertebrates. Some of the largest monitor lizards, such as the Komodo dragon, hunt deer. Deer make up 50% of their diet. The three species that live in the Philippines are arboreal, eating mainly fruit.
Although typically solitary, groups as large as 25 individuals are common in ecosystems with limited water resources.
Groups of monitor lizards maintain a large territory. They are active throughout the day within their territory and prey on mammals and other small reptiles. Lizards lay 7-37 eggs. They cover the eggs with soil or hide them in tree hollows. Monitor lizards are characterized by quick and powerful movements in pursuit of prey. They run at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. Isn’t that amazing? No wonder they always have something to eat. Most lizards have glands that secrete venom. Although the monitor uses its venom to kill small prey (symptoms include rapid swelling, drop in blood pressure, and inhibition of blood clots), it has a relatively mild effect on animals. People.
Nile civet (Varanus niloticus)
The Nile monitor lizard, a large member of the monitor lizard family, lives in sub-Saharan Africa and along the Nile River. It is also known as the African small-seeded lizard and salamander.
Nile monitors are carnivores. These monitors are well adapted to the aquatic lifestyle. They can climb trees and run quickly on land. You can see some of these lizards at the sambiya riverside lodge right near your house. They visit the motel.
Also note that, Monitor Lizards live 20-30 years. However, smaller monitor lizards tend to be more viviparous than larger monitor lizards.
For the largest lizards, the main predator is humans. Some types of mosquito nets are hunted for their skins in the leather trade. The only exception is the Komodo dragon, which has rough and uneven skin that is not suitable for the skin. In Uganda, leather is used to make drums, the infamous Engalabi musical instrument of the dominant Baganda tribe in East Africa. They are also hunted for food and traditional medicine as well as in the international pet trade.
