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Monitor Lizard

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Monitor Lizard
Monitor Lizard
Monitor Lizard
Monitor Lizard
Monitor Lizard
Monitor Lizards are large reptiles found in Africa and all across Asia, including the surrounding seas. The monitor lizard is mainly found in jungle areas although some species of monitor lizard are water-bound.

Some species of monitor lizard are thought to carry a fairly weak venom, for example, the komodo dragon which is the largest of the species. The komodo dragon is native to the small Indonesian island that it is named after and is the largest species of lizard in the world.

According to legend, monitor lizards were a sign that there were crocodiles close by, possibly due to their standing on their hind legs to monitor their surroundings. Monitor lizards do this so that they are aware of any approaching predators.

Although many species of monitor lizard are quite big, some species of monitor lizard are smaller than 20 cm in length. Monitor lizards are extremely versatile animals and monitor lizards adapt well into different environments.

Most species of monitor lizard have a predominantly carnivorous diet, eating eggs, smaller reptiles, fish, birds and small mammals. Some species of monitor lizard also eat fruit and vegetation depending on where they live.

Female monitor lizards bury their eggs in holes or hollow tree stumps that the female monitor lizard then covers with dirt in order to protect her eggs. Monitor lizards can lay up to 30 eggs at a time, although many monitor lizards lay less, and only a lucky few of the monitor lizard babies tend to survive.

Monitor lizards are thought to be fairly intelligent animals, with some people claiming that monitor lizards are able to recognise numbers up to six, therefore meaning that monitor lizards are able to count! Monitor lizards mainly use their intelligence in the wild by surveying areas for oncoming danger and for hunting their prey.

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Monitor Lizard Facts

Five groups that classify all living things...
A group of animals within the animal kingdom...
A group of animals within a pylum...
A group of animals within a class...
A group of animals within an order...
A group of animals within a family...
Scientific Name:
Comprised of the genus followed by the species...
Varanus Indicus
The animal group that the species belongs to...
What kind of foods the animal eats...
12-310cm (4.7-122in)
The measurement of how heavy the animal is...
1-166kg (2.2-366lbs)
Top Speed:
The fastest recorded speed of the animal...
45km/h (28mph)
Life Span:
How long the animal lives for...
8-30 years
Whether the animal is solitary or sociable...
Conservation Status:
The likelihood of the animal becoming extinct...
The colour of the animal's coat or markings...
Tan, Brown, Grey, Green
Skin Type:
The protective layer of the animal...
Favourite Food:Rodents
The specific area where the animal lives...
River banks and coastal forests
Average Litter Size:
The average number of babies born at once...
Main Prey:
The food that the animal gains energy from...
Rodents, Snakes, Lizards
Other animals that hunt and eat the animal...
Human, Snakes, Wildcats
Special Features:Large, powerful body and sharp claws

Related Animals

Bearded DragonBearded Dragon
Can grow to up 24 inches long!
Uses visual signals to communicate!
Komodo DragonKomodo Dragon
Only found on five Indonesian islands!
There are around 5,000 different species!
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
There are more than 160 different species!
Can reach speeds of up to 25 mph!