Monitor Lizard is one of the specious reptiles. Undoubtedly, the actual number of reptiles living on earth will never be known—the total proposed number of reptiles around 7500. Among them, the vast majority (more than 7000) are lizards and snakes.
Basic introduction of Monitor Lizard
There
are several lizards globally; among them, monitor lizards are one of the giant
lizards in the genus Varanus. It's also widely recognized as biawak or goannas. Monitor lizards were discovered over 90 million years ago
in northern Asia. Afterward, it is native to Africa, Asia, Oceania, but at
present, it is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. Monitor
lizards are remarkable because they are quite similar to snakes, with their
characteristic forked tongues to detect aroma compounds in the air. They're
even hissing when they feel threatened. They are often known to be the most
intellectual of all lizards because when domesticated, they can be taught to
count to 6, and in the wild, they can remember where their hiding places are,
exactly the multiple approaches to get there. They're still the only lizard
species that don't recover. Monitor lizards have not only long necks, massive
tails, and claws but also have well-developed limbs. Monitor lizards have long
necks, massive tails and claws, and well-developed arms. Although most of the
monitor lizards are carnivorous.They are consuming eggs,smaller
reptiles,birds,insects,fish & small mammals. As well as some lizards eat
fruit and vegetables depending on the place.
Monitor Lizard Size
The
adult length of the current species ranges from 20 cm (7.9 in) in certain
species to more than 3 m (10 ft) in the case of the Komodo dragon.
Simultaneously, the extinct varanid famous as Megalania (Varanus priscus) might
have been more than 7 m (23 ft) long. The majority of the monitor species are
marine, but arboreal and semi-aquatic monitors are also known.
Types of Monitor Lizard
Although
there are over 70 different species of monitor lizards, only a few are commonly
found in the pet trade. The types available range from small to large and live
in different habitats. Here is a list of some of the most common forms seen as
pets. The list is not all-inclusive, and other species may be available.
● Blue-tailed Monitor
The
blue-tailed monitor found in Australia, New Guinea, and various islands. The
blue-tailed monitor is named for the blue bands on its back. It can spend time
on the ground, in the sea, in the trees. This lizard can expand up to four feet
in length and be tamed over time.
● Dumeril's Monitor
The
Dumeril Monitor is located in Asia and the islands of Indonesia. This lizard
will spend its time in the forest, on the grass, and in the sea. It can grow to
around five feet in length and has a dark brown color with lighter bands on its
tail. The monitor of the Dumeril can be tamed over time.
● Nile Monitor
The
Nile Monitor is a resilient lizard that exists all over Africa. It can be more
than five feet long. It's a black or brown hue with rows of yellow dots. The
Nile monitor is also available as a bird, but it's a tough lizard to tame.
● Ridge-Tailed Monitor
The
ridge-tailed monitor is accessible in the arid regions of Australia. It's a
smaller monitor that only grows to around two feet in length. This lizard has a
brown color with yellow streaks and a spiny tail.
● Rough-Necked Monitor
The
rough tailed monitor spends most of its time living in trees. It is generally
found in Asia and Indonesia. It can be more than four feet long and is a sleek
lizard with a sub-prehensile tail. The rough-necked monitor is a shy reptile,
but over time it could be tamed.
● Savanna Monitor
The
Savanna is one of the most common monitors available as a pet. The savannah
monitor is a stocky lizard from Africa, where it spends much of its time on the
ground or in a burrow. It also has a length of five feet and is typically a
gray or dull yellow color.
● Tree Monitors
Tree
monitors are the smallest monitor lizard. They grow to around 3 feet long. Tree
monitors are lightweight lizards with prehensile tails. There are plenty of
species that can be green, black, yellow, and blue. They are rugged and
seductive snakes that spend their time in the forest.
● Mangrove Monitor
Mangrove
monitors can be found in Australia, New Guinea, and the numerous islands. It's
going to spend time on property, in trees, and the sea. This lizard can grow to
four feet in length and has a black or brown color with clusters of light
spots. Over time, the mangrove monitor could become very tame.
● White-Throated Monitor
It
is also a stocky lizard from Africa. It spends its time either on the ground or
in a burrow. It can be more than six feet long and typically has a medium gray
hue with dark bands on the tail. The white-throated monitor can be tamed, but
it is often an unruly lizard.
What is the best monitor lizard as a pet?
The
Akkie is by far the best reptile for tracking to be kept as a pet. The Akkie is
by far the safest monitor animal to be marked as a home. Akkies are a
comparatively small (monitoring standards) genus with specific benefits over
other monitors. They measure 2-3 ft as adults and come in both red and yellow
colors. There seems to be no distinction in price between reds and yellows.
They're rarely seen in the common pet trade, but they're fast becoming
mainstream. They have outstanding temperaments and caring needs.
Why is this named a monitor lizard?
Although
there are two species of large lizards that some herpetologists say are more
closely related to a snake than to a lizard in Southern Africa. Like the rest
of their genus Varanus, the Nile monitor lizard and the Rock Monitor lizard are
standing on their hind legs to monitor their surroundings, thus their term.
How long do monitor lizards live?
All
species of monitor lizards can probably live for at least 20 years, and some
species appear to live for much longer.
Advantage of these species for the planet
There
are several advantages these species do for the planet. They are described
below:
As pets
Monitor
lizards have been a favorite of the pet reptile trade. The most frequently
maintained monitors are the savannah monitor and the Ackies dwarf monitor,
owing to their comparatively small scale, low cost, and relatively quiet
routine handling. Black-throated monitors, Timor monitors, Asian water
monitors, Nile monitors, mangrove monitors, emerald tree monitors, black tree
monitors, rough-neck monitors, Dumeril's monitors, peach monitors, crocodile
monitors, argus Monitors have been held in captivity.
Therapeutic Medicine
Most
of the people of India & Pakistan eat monitor lizard meat, particularly the
tongue and liver, and it is considered an aphrodisiac. Different parts of
monitor lizards are used for a variety of medical purposes, which is called
Assam. The meat is ingested to alleviate rheumatic discomfort. The stomach fat
is used as a salve for skin diseases, the oil and grease are used to cure
hemorrhoids or chronic pain, and the oil is used as an aphrodisiac lubricant.
Besides
that, the use of raw blood and flesh of monitor lizards has been documented to
develop eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, like some controllers are hosts for
the parasite.
Music
The skin of the monitor lizards is used
to create a Carnatic music percussion instrument called a kanjira.
Food
The
monitor lizard is used as a supplemental meat source in India, the Philippines,
Australia, and West Africa. Some tribes in India consume monitor lizard meat.
Both meat and eggs are also consumed as a delicacy in South East Asia, such as
Vietnam and Thailand. The core of the monitor lizards is used for medical and
nutritional purposes in Nepal.
Leather
"Large-scale
utilization" of monitor lizards is carried out for their hides, which are
outlined as "of significant use" in the leather industry. In Papua
New Guinea, monitor lizard leather is used for membranes in traditional drums
(Kundu). These lizards are referred to as kundu palai or "drum
lizard" in Tok Pisin, Papua's primary commercial language.
Ecology and social behavior
The
young monitors are often seen on trees, but Bengal monitors are typically
solitary and generally found on the ground. The two sympatric species Bengal
and Yellow Monitor, partly split their habitat as Bengal Monitor prefers woods
over agricultural areas. Bengal monitors hide in burrows or crevices in rocks
and houses, while clouded monitors prefer tree hollows. All races will use
abandoned termite mounds. Bengal monitors, like other varanids, exhibit actual
sleep at night and are diurnal, becoming active about 6 a.m. and basking in the
morning light. In the colder regions of the winter. They can take shelter and
experience a period of reduced metabolic activity. They are not territorial and
may change their range on a seasonal basis in response to food availability.
They're usually timid, and they avoid humans. They have a sharp eye and can
track human movements almost 250 m away. When trapped, a few people can bite
but rarely do so. While they are found in agricultural land, they prefer forests
with large trees. Typically, the high ground cover with giant trees is a
desirable area.
Effect on the environment
The
monitor lizard plays a significant role as scavengers in the putrefaction and
regeneration of biomass. They always try to keep the habitat clean & purify
according to its nature. Monitor lizard feed on a massive variety of food types
such as small mammals, insects, crabs, snakes, fish, etc. They not only feed
themselves but also control the population of their prey. The large predators
such as Crocodile consume monitor lizard. Respectively, they also a source of
food to larger predators.
Monitor
lizards have a high aerobic range, which is partially due to their cardiac
anatomy. Although some reptiles are known to have three-chambered hearts, the
hearts of the monitor lizards – such as boas and pythons – have a
well-developed ventricular septum that is entirely divided the pulmonary and
systemic sides of the circulatory system during systole. This causes
mammalian-equivalent pressure differentials to be produced between the
pulmonary and systemic lizards.
Anatomical
and molecular experiments suggest that all varanids (and probably all lizards)
are partly venomous. The monitor lizards' venom is versatile and complicated
due to the diverse ecological niches that the monitor lizards inhabit. Monitor
lizards are oviparous, varying from 7 to 37 nests, often covered with dirt or
protected in a hollow tree stump. Some monitor lizards, like the Dragon of
Komodo, are capable of parthenogenesis.
Thus,
they play a significant role in the biodiversity of the environment. They play
an active and influential role in our ecological system.
