| Monitor | |
|---|---|
| Varanus albigularis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Scleroglossa |
| Infraorder: | Anguimorpha |
| Superfamily: | Varanoidea |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus Merrem, 1820 |
| Species | |
|
|
|
Monitor lizards are usually large reptiles, although some can be as small as 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semiaquatic monitors are also known. Almost all monitor lizards are carnivorous, although Varanus bitatawa, Varanus mabitang and Varanus olivaceus are also known to eat fruit.[1][2] They are oviparous, laying from seven to 37 eggs, which they often cover with soil or protect in a hollow tree stump.[3]
Contents |
The various species of Varanus cover a vast area, occurring through Africa, the Asian subcontinent from India and Sri Lanka to China, down Southeast Asia to Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia and islands of the Indian Ocean, and South China Sea. There is also a large concentration of monitor lizards in Tioman Island in the Malaysian state of Pahang.
Monitor lizards differ greatly from other lizards in several ways, possessing a relatively high metabolic rate for reptiles, and several sensory adaptations that benefit the hunting of live prey. Recent research indicates the varanid lizards may have some venom.[4] This discovery of venom in monitor lizards, as well as in agamid lizards, led to the Toxicofera hypothesis: that all venomous lizards and snakes share a common venomous ancestor.[5]
During the late Cretaceous era, monitor lizards or their close relatives are believed to have evolved into amphibious and then fully marine forms, the mosasaurs, which reached lengths of up to 17 m.
Snakes are believed to be more closely related to monitor lizards than any other type of extant reptile, but it has been proposed that snakes are sister group of the clade of iguanians and anguimorphs.[5]
During the Pleistocene epoch, giant monitor lizards lived in Southeast Asia and Australasia, the best known fossil being Varanus priscus (formerly known as Megalania prisca). This species is an iconic member of the Pleistocene megafauna of Australia.
Some monitor lizards, including the Komodo dragon, are capable of parthenogenesis.[6]
The generic name Varanus is derived from the Arabic word waral ورل, (alternative spelling waran). The name comes from a common Semitic root ouran, waran, or waral meaning "lizard".[7] The occasional habit of varanids to stand on their two hind legs and to appear to "monitor" their surroundings has been suggested to have led to this name, as it was Latinized into Varanus. Its common name is derived from the Latin word monere meaning "to warn".[7]
In Tamil and Malayalam, monitor lizards are known as udumbu, ghorpad घोरपड in Marathi, uda in Kannada, in Sinhalese as kabaragoya, and in Telugu as Udumu. Due to confusion with the large New World lizards of the family Iguanidae, the lizards became known as "goannas" in Australia. Similarly, in South Africa they are referred to as leguaan, from the Dutch for iguana. The generic name inspired the name of the Japanese movie monster Varan.
Varanid lizards are very intelligent, and some species can even count.[8] Careful studies feeding V. albigularis at the San Diego Zoo varying numbers of snails showed that they can distinguish numbers up to six.[8][9] V. niloticus lizards have been observed to cooperate when foraging.[8] One varanid lures the female crocodile away from her nest, while the other opens the nest to feed on the eggs.[8] The decoy then returns to also feed on the eggs.[8][9] Komodo dragons, V. komodoensis, at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., recognize their keepers and seem to have distinct personalities.[9]
Monitor lizards have become a staple in the reptile pet trade. The most commonly kept monitors are the savannah monitor and Acklin's monitor, due to their relatively small size, low cost, and relatively calm dispositions.[7] Nile monitors, white throated monitors, water monitors, mangrove monitors, emerald tree monitors, black tree monitors, acanthurus monitors, quince monitors, crocodile monitors and komodo dragons have been kept in captivity.[7] Like all reptiles kept as pets, monitors need hiding places and an appropriate substrate.[7] Monitors also need a large water dish in which they can soak their entire bodies.[7] In the wild, monitors will eat anything they can overpower, but crickets, superworms, and the occasional rodent make up most of the captive monitors' diet. Boiled eggs, silkworms, earthworms, and feeder fish can also be fed to them.[7] Paleontologist and Biology Professor at Temple University, Michael Balsai has observed V. prasinus eating fruit in captivity as has herpetologist and author, Robert G. Sprackland.[7][10]
Monitor lizards are eaten in parts of southern India and Malaysia, where their meat is considered an aphrodisiac.[11][12]
All but five species of monitor lizard are classified by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) under Appendix II, which is loosely defined as species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless trade in such species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with the survival of the species in the wild. The remaining five species - V. bengalensis, V. flavescens, V. griseus, V. komodoensis, and V. nebulosus - are classified under CITES Appendix I, which means they are species that are threatened with extinction.[13]
In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and all other parts of South India, catching or killing of monitor lizards is banned under Protected Species Act.
Genus Varanus
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||