Monitor Lizards - Biology Of Monitors, Species Of Monitors, Monitors And People
dragon australia varanus komodo
Monitor lizards include 24 living species of large lizards in the genus Varanus, family Varanidae. Monitors inhabit tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Monitors are among the most advanced of the lizards, in terms of achieving an active, predaceous lifestyle.
The largest species of monitor, and the world's largest lizard, is the extremely impressive Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), which can achieve a length of 9.8 ft (3 m) and a weight of 300 lb (135 kg). The Komodo dragon is an endangered species, occurring only on a few, small Indonesian islands. An even larger monitor lizard, known as Megalania, was about twice as long as the Komodo dragon, and is known from fossils collected in Australia. The smallest species is the short-tailed monitor (Varanus brevicauda) of western Australia, only 7.9 in (20 cm) long and weighing 0.7 oz (20 g).
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Monitor lizards have a massive body and powerful legs. Most species have strong claws on their feet, and all but the largest monitors can climb well. The tail is long and powerful, usually about twice as long as the body, and can be flailed as a potent weapon. Monitors grow throughout their life, so the oldest individuals in a population are also the largest ones. Monitors have a long, specialized…
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a widespread, rather aquatic species found in Africa. The Bengal monitor (V. bengalensis) is widely distributed in southern Asia, occurring from Iran and Afghanistan, to Java in Indonesia. This species is a relatively terrestrial monitor, and in some parts of its range it may become dormant during periods of extended drought. The two-banded monitor (V. salva…
Monitors are hunted in many places for their meat, skin, and eggs. A preparation of the fat of monitors is used in traditional Chinese medicine, and monitors may be hunted for this trade anywhere that they occur. Monitors are also threatened by losses of their natural habitat in many places. Some populations of the Indian monitor (V. indicus) have been decimated by poisoning when they attempt to e…
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