Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)
Image Copyright Sam Kettel
Observed: Koh Chang, January 2016
Observed By: Sam Kettel
The water monitor is a huge and relatively common lizard that is native to South and Southeast Asia. As the name suggests their habitat is in or around areas close to water.
Typical adult lenghts of these lizards range from 1.5 to 2 metres long but the longest specimen ever recorded was a huge 3.21 metres.
They are the world’s second largest species of lizard after their giant relatives the Komodo Dragon.
Water monitors are strong swimmers and their diet is a combination of land and aquatic life including fish, frogs, rodents, turtles, snakes, eggs and even young crocodiles.
Water Monitors are not overall an endangered despite a market for their skins but their range has been dramatically reduced by destruction of habitat, particularly in mainland India.
Image Copyright Sam Kettel
Image Copyright Sam Kettel
Image Copyright Sam Kettel
Image Copyright Sam Kettel
Image Copyright Sam Kettel
Image Copyright Sam Kettel
