Bengal monitor

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iBengal Monitor

Bengal Monitor Lizard

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Varanidae
Genus:	Varanus
Species:	V. bengalensis

Binomial name

Varanus bengalensis
(Daudin, 1802)

Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis), also known as the Common Indian Monitor, is a monitor lizard found throughout Bangladesh and India. It measures up to 75 cm in body length with the tail about 100 cm in length. It feeds on small terrestrial vertebrates, ground birds and their eggs, arthropods and fish.

Although not uncommon, Monitor lizards are killed for their meat and skins and are threatened in many places by hunting.

The lizard is known as Guishaap or Goshaap in West Bengal and Bangladesh, and as ghorpad in Maharashtra . The lizards have strong claws and in some parts of India this has led to the myth that they can cling strongly to surfaces. A persistent myth that has little support from zoology or history is that Shivaji's general Tanaji Malusare used a monitor with ropes attached for climbing the walls of the Sinhagad fort.

1 Identification
2 Distribution
3 Behaviour
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Identification

Head of asian Varanus species

Key to South Asian Varanus species from Boulenger, Fauna of British India.

A. Nostril an oblique slit, nearer to orbit than to end of snout; tail round or slightly compressed posteriorly - V. griseus

B. Nostril an oblique slit, tail compressed, keeled above.

a. Nostril a little nearer to end of snout than to orbit - V. flavescens

b. Nostril nearer to orbit than to end of snout

a' Ventral scales smooth; supraoculars equal; nostril much nearer to orbit than to end of snout - V. bengalensis

b' Ventral scales smooth; median supraoculars slightly enlarged transversely; nostril only a little nearer to orbit than to end of snout - V. nebulosus

C. Nostril roundish or oval, nearer to end of snout than to orbit; tail compressed, keeled above - V. salvator

The Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis can be distinguished from the Clouded monitor Varanus bengalensis nebulosus by larger scales above the eyes and fewer scales around the body (Mertens 1942).

There is considerable variation in colouration with adults being black, grey or brown with lighter patterns on the back. Hatchlings are brighter with dull orange and bold black and yellow bands on the body and tail.

[edit] Distribution

Although called the Bengal Monitor, this species is among the most widely distributed of varanus lizards. It is found in river valleys in eastern Iran, Afghanistan, western Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Burma. A subspecies Varanus bengalensis nebulosus called the Clouded Monitor occurs in southern Burma, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and the Sunda Islands.

[edit] Behaviour

Bengal Monitors are usually solitary and usually found on the ground although the young are often seen on trees. V. b. nebulosus has a greater propensity for tree climbing.

Large adults may ascend vertical tree trunks and sometimes stalk and capture roosting bats. Their normal prey consists of beetles, grubs, orthopterans, scorpions, snails, ants and other invertebrates. Vertebrate prey is comparatively rare and includes frogs, fish, lizards, snakes and rodents. Bengal monitors shelter in burrows or crevices in rocks and buildings, whilst clouded monitors prefer tree hollows. Both races will make use of abandoned termite mounds.

Males will fight each other in a bipedal fashion for females. After mating the female lays up to 30 eggs in a hollow dug in the ground and the eggs hatch in about five months. The young often remain together in loose groups and often live on trees and live on an insectivorous diet.

[edit] References

Boulenger, G.A. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Amphibia. Taylor & Francis.
Auffenberg, W. 1979 Intersexual differences in behaviour of captive Varanus bengalensis. J.Herpet. 13(3):313-315.
Auffenberg, W. 1979 Research on monitor lizards. Tiger Paper 6(4):20-21.
Auffenberg, W. 1981 Combat behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. J.Bombay N.H.S. 78(1):54-72.
Auffenberg, W. 1983 The burrows of Varanus bengalensis. Rec. Zool. Surv. India 80:375-385.
Auffenberg, W. 1983 Courtship behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. In Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary Biology: Essays in Honor of Ernest E. Williams (Rhodin & Myata eds.): 535-551.
Auffenberg, W. 1983 Notes on feeding behaviour of Varanus bengalensis. J. Bombay N.H.S. 80 (2): 286-302.
Auffenberg, W. 1986. The Indian monitor lizard. Sanctuary Asia. 6 (4):327-333.