Water Monitor
The Water monitor, (Varanus salvator) is a large species of monitor lizard capable of growing over 3 meters (9.8 ft) in length, with the average size of most adults at 2.5 meters (8.9) long. Maximum weight of Varanus salvator can be over 90 kg, but most are half that size. Their body is muscular with a long, powerful, laterally compressed tail. Water monitors are one of the most common monitor lizards found throughout Asia, and range from Sri Lanka, India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula and various islands of Indonesia, living in areas close to water.
The Water monitor, (Varanus salvator)
Water monitors can be defensive, using their tail, claws, and jaws when fighting. They are excellent swimmers, using the raised fin located on their tails to steer through water. Water Monitors are carnivores, and have a wide range of foods. They are known to eat fish, frogs, rodents, birds, crabs, and snakes. They have also been known to eat turtles, as well as young crocodiles and crocodile eggs. Water monitors also harbor toxin-producing bacterian in their salavia. If bitten, these bacteria quickly cause infection and sepsis, causing the intended prey to die shortly after. Humans, if bitten, are advised to seek medical treatment.
In Malaysia, this species is one of the most common wild animals around with numbers comparable to that of the population of macaques there. Although many fall prey to humans via road kill and animal cruelty, it still thrives in most states of Malaysia especially in the shrubs of the east-coast states such as Pahang and Terengganu. Malay "kampung" boys and young working class malay men often catch and kill water monitors for their own amusement although the widespread population of the species causes the lack of conservation attention. In the east-coast states of Malaysia, this species is very common in roadkill. In Thailand, all monitor lizards are protected species.
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