Monitor Lizard Definition

Monitor Lizard is a large lizard comes under the family Varanidae that originated at 65mya. The genus comprises 79 species that are distributed in Oceania, Asia, and Africa. They are categorized as native species in America. These Lizard scales can be green, brown, tan, and grey. Their large bodies also comprise a powerful tail and long necks.

They have strong claws and well-developed limbs. Their tongues are forked as in snakes. The Komodo dragon is the largest existing lizard in their genus and they can grow up to 3 meters, while the smallest species grows up to only 20 cm.

They usually are terrestrial but others may be semi-aquatic or may be found on trees. They are aggressive and very territorial, they also lash out their tails when provoked. They also hiss and inflate their throats to intimidate their predators. They may be passively waiting for their prey or may go and actively hunt for them.

They feed on a range of organisms like birds, insects, fish, eggs, and small mammals. While some species eat vegetables and fruits. They are solitary organisms but in dire circumstances like in case if water is scarce they may form groups of 25.

They don’t have many natural predators but are hunted by humans for their skin and their meat. They were also sold as pets. Habitat fragmentation and destruction have led to the decline in the reptilian population. The more proximal they are to a human settlement the more vulnerable they are.