Monitor lizards also known as bayawak or goannas, genus
Varanus, are members of the family Varanidae. They have a distinctive upper set of teeth to intimidate their predators when in danger.
Varanus is a group of largely carnivorous lizards which includes the largest living lizard, the Komodo dragon, and the crocodile monitor. The closest living relatives are the anguid and helodermatid lizards.
I like monitors.
Komodo Dragon
Varanus komodoensis is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2-3 metres (approximately 6.5-10 feet).
Green Tree Monitor
Varanus prasinus
Lace Monitor
Varanus varius
Mangrove Monitor
Varanus indicus
Crocodile Monitor
Varanus salvadorii
Indian Monitor (Water Monitor)
Varanus salvator
Wow, you've monitored a lot of monitors...hahaha :) They sure have character, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI have such fond memories of our goanna hunts when we were children. The hunt was just to find them, we would have been skinned alive if we'd ever attempted to harm one. When I lived in North Queensland in the late 90s the most beautiful goanna I've ever seen used pass the front of house obviously on a daily basis but I only saw him at weekends. He was a Lace Monitor, over 6 feet long and I swear his waistline was bigger than mine. His colouring was glorious, sort of grey/green and yellow. I'd love to see another like him one day.
ReplyDeleteCrocodile monitors are definitely my favourites but I do love them all. Are these all the species you've photographed? I think I may have a couple of others, in which case I'll have to work out where they were from.
ReplyDeleteWow! What great pictures! I'm trying to remember if it was the monitor, or the gila monster, that has the most poisonous bite of just about anything.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe it wasn't the most poisonous, but the most painful. A mind is a terrible thing to lose...
ReplyDeleteErmm, nice? I think I'll stick to the skink and gecko lizards that are indigenous here - and threatened, sadly endangered species.
ReplyDeleteI can add that my Zebbycat doesn't hunt them. Zeb is a wussycat, a rescue cat that gets spooked by just a knock on the front door. He is a mostly indoor cat - good for him and the NZ indigenous wildlife out there. And good for me, as I get the cuddles, snuggles and purrs.
Sending kind regards, Michelle and Zebbycat, huggles and purrrrrumbles
Great pictures! The guy at the top definitely needs to see a manacurist.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I also have photos of the nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) from London zoo and the blue tailed monitor (Varanus doreanus) from Exmoor zoo.
ReplyDelete