Monitor lizard

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Monitor lizards
An Australian lace monitor(Varanus varius) on a tree.
An Australian lace monitor
(Varanus varius) on a tree.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Scleroglossa
Infraorder: Anguimorpha
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Merrem, 1820
Species

Many, see text.

Monitor lizards are the family Varanidae, a group of carnivorous lizards which includes the largest living lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Varanidae contains only a single genus: Varanus.

In Australia, monitor lizards are known as goannas (See main article).

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.

Monitor lizards are considered to be the most derived lizards, possessing a relatively high metabolic rate for reptiles and several sensory adaptations that benefit the hunting of live prey. Recent research indicates that the Varanid lizards, including the Komodo dragon, may have very weak venom.[1] Some monitor lizards are apparently capable of parthenogenesis.[2] Almost all Monitor lizards are carnivorous with the exception of the Emerald Tree monitor (Varanus prasinus) which is known to eat berries and some fruit.

The genus name, "Varanus" is derived from the Arabic word waral ورل, which is translated to English as "monitor". It has been suggested that the occasional habit of varanids to stand on their two hind legs and to appear to "monitor" their surroundings led to the original Arabic name.[3] According to legend, these lizards were supposed to warn people that crocodiles were nearby.[4]

Varanid lizards are very intelligent, and some species can even count.[5] Careful studies feeding V. albigularis at the San Diego Zoo varying numbers of snails showed that they can distinguish numbers up to six.[5][4][6] V. niloticus have been observed to cooperate when foraging.[7] One varanid lures the female crocodile away from her nest while the other opens the nest to feed on the eggs.[7] The decoy then returns to also feed on the eggs.[7][4] Komodo dragons, V. komodoensis, at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., recognize their keepers and seem to have distinct personalities.[4]

Monitor lizards have become a staple in the reptile pet trade. The most commonly kept monitors are the savannah monitor, nile monitor, white throated monitor, and Acklin's monitor, due to their relatively small size and ease of domestication. Nile monitors, water monitors, mangrove monitors, and papau monitors have also been kept in captivity. Like all reptiles that are kept as pets, monitors need hiding places, and an appropriate substrate (bedding). Monitors also need a large water dish in which they can soak their entire body. 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 goldfish can also be fed to monitors. Monitor lizards have been compared to reptilian cats - independent animals with different personalities. However, due to their predatory nature and large size some monitors can be dangerous to keep as pets.

A Nile monitor
A Nile monitor
A monitor lizard seen at the Australia Zoo.
A monitor lizard seen at the Australia Zoo.

Genus Varanus

Emerald tree monitor (also called Green tree monitor) lizard Varanus prasinus
Emerald tree monitor (also called Green tree monitor) lizard Varanus prasinus
Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator salvator).
Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator salvator).

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The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

  1. ^ Fry, B.G; Vidal, N; Norman J.A.; Vonk F.J.; Scheib, H.; Ramjan S.F.R; Kuruppu S.; Fung, K.; Hedges, B.; Richardson M.K.; Hodgson, W.C.; Ignjatovic, V.; Summerhays, R. and Kochva, E. 2006. Early evolution of the venom system in lizards and snakes. Nature. 439, 584-588. Summary
  2. ^ Smith, Kerri. Dragon virgin births startle zoo keepers. Nature. Retrieved on 2006-12-20.
  3. ^ Pianka, E.R.; King, D.R. and King, R.A. 2004. Varanoid Lizards of the World. Indiana University Press.
  4. ^ a b c d Pianka, Eric R. Varinidae [1]
  5. ^ a b King, Dennis & Green, Brian. 1999. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X, p. 43.
  6. ^ The Weekend Australian. July 24-25, 1999, p. 12.
  7. ^ a b c King, Dennis & Green, Brian. 1999. Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 0-86840-456-X, p. 43.

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