A three-and-a-half-foot monitor lizard was rescued from a residential area in Thane city. Monitor lizards are a group of large reptiles belonging to the Varanidae family. Monitor lizards are known for their distinctive appearance with long bodies, powerful limbs and well-developed tails. Monitor lizards are considered the most intelligent of all lizards and the most intelligent reptiles in general.
Distribution
- Monitor lizards are mainly native to Asia, Africa, and Australia.
- India is home to four Monitor lizards– the Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), the Asian Water monitor (Varanus salvator), the Yellow monitor (Varanus flavescens) and the Desert monitor (Varanus griseus).
Features
- They have large claws, powerful tails, long necks, and well-developed legs.
- They can move quickly and powerfully in pursuit of prey.
- Most monitor lizards are terrestrial and largely carnivorous.
- They do not blink and they have very good vision.
- They have forked tongues which they use for smelling.
Conservation Status
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
Komodo dragon
- It is a type of monitor lizard.
- Scientific Name: Varanus komodoensis.
- It is the largest species of monitor lizard, and it can grow up to ten feet long and weigh 300 pounds.
- They are also generally known to be the most dangerous types of monitor lizards
- The skin of a Komodo dragon is also unusual compared to other monitors. It has tiny bones called osteoderms throughout its skin, which reinforces its toughness against predators.