
Malayan Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator) on grass
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Malayan Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator) on grass

Malayan Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator) on grass

Closeup of wild water monitor (Varanus salvator) in nature.

Closeup of wild water monitor (Varanus salvator) in nature.

Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) on a branch

the iguana is eating papaya and banana

A Water Monitor swimming in a river in the Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra. This lizard is common in southeast Asia and can grow up to 2m in length.

A Water Monitor along the shoreline of a river in the Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra. This lizard is common in southeast Asia and can grow up to 2m in length.

A Water Monitor swimming in a river in the Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra. This lizard is common in southeast Asia and can grow up to 2m in length.

A captivating close-up of an Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) on a wooden plank, its forked tongue sampling the air. This large reptile showcases its intricate skin patterns, highlighting its natural behavior in the wild.

Head of an Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) sitting on rose orange marble

beautiful adult Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) resting on ground

beautiful adult Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) resting on ground

beautiful adult Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) resting on ground

beautiful adult Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) resting on ground

The genus Physignathus was described by George Cuvier (1769-1832) in 1829 based on the type specimen of the genus; the Green Water Dragon, Physignathus cocincinus of south-east Asia. The name Physignathus translates to "puff-cheek" and refers to the bulging appearance of the throat and lower jaw. Physignathus comprises two recognised species; Physignathus lesueurii and Physignathus concincinus. The specific name lesueurii honours the French naturalist Charles-Alexandre Lesueur (1778-1846) who collected this species on the Baudin expedition of 1800. ..Water Dragons are found in eastern Australia as well as southern New Guinea. The Eastern subspecies, Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii, occurs along the east coast of Australia from Cooktown in the north down to the New South Wales south coast (approximately at Kangaroo Valley) where it is replaced with the Gippsland subspecies Physignathus lesueurii howittii, which is distributed as far south and into the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria. There are also at least one anthropologically introduced feral population found in the Mount Lofty Ranges near Adelaide in South Australia. The habitats available to this species differ greatly over its distribution, from tropical rainforest in the north to alpine streams in the south. Water Dragons are completely insectivorous as juveniles, however as they grow they become more omnivorous with vegetable matter gradually making up to almost half of the diet. In the wild Water Dragons have been observed ground feeding on insects such as ants as well as foraging amongst the branches of trees for arboreal invertebrates like cicadas. (Source

Portrait of a Lizard lying on the ground

A Water Monitor Lizard on a rock in Kruger National Park

Close up portrait of an asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) on river bank at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand.

Close up portrait of an asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) on river bank at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand.

This is Charlie the Green Water Dragon in his prime. Notice his beautiful crest of spines and color pattern that signify he is a male. He was about two years old in this picture.

Huge adult Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator) in Polonaruwa, Sri Lanka

asian water monitor basking in a dead tree

lizard behavior in the hole

lizard behavior in the hole

The Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a large lizard native to South and Southeast Asia. It is one of the most common monitor lizards in Asia, ranging from coastal northeast India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, mainland Southeast Asia, and southern China to Indonesian islands where it lives close to water. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It was described by Laurenti in 1768 and is among the largest squamates in the world.The Malayan water monitor is a large, robust lizard with a long tail. It can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length and weigh up to 25 kilograms (55 pounds). The body is covered in small, overlapping scales that are dark brown or black in color. The head is large and has a long snout. The nostrils are located at the tip of the snout, which helps the lizard to breathe while swimming. The eyes are large and have a nictitating membrane, which helps to protect the eyes from water and debris.The Malayan water monitor is an omnivore and will eat a variety of foods, including insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, fruit, and vegetables. It is an excellent swimmer and can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes. It is also an agile climber and can climb trees and even walls.The Malayan water monitor is a solitary animal and only comes together to mate. The female lays a clutch of 20-50 eggs, which hatch after about 6 months. The young lizards are independent at birth and are able to fend for themselves.The Malayan water monitor is not considered to be a threat to humans. However, it can be aggressive if it feels threatened. It is important to respect the space of this large lizard and to avoid handling it unless you are experienced.

Monitor Waran National Park Wilpattu Sri Lanka

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Rock monitor on tree trunk in Greater Kruger National park, South Africa ; Specie Varanus albigularis family of Varanidae

Beware water monitor or monitor lizards sign in the Benjakitti Park in Bangkok