The water monitor lizard is an amphibian reptile of the order Lizardidae, the family monitor lizard. It is also known as the five-clawed golden dragon and the water gecko. It is a national first-class protected wild animal. The largest monitor lizard can grow to 3 meters in length and weigh 30 kilograms. It is densely covered with fine scales, has a narrow and long head, a long snout, a flat tail like a belt, thick limbs, and a black back with yellow markings—the largest species of lizards in my country and one of the largest lizards in the world. Mainly feed on fish, mice, frogs, shrimps, and other reptiles, etc., but also go to trees to prey on birds, insects, and bird eggs, occasionally eat animal carcasses, and climb to villages to steal poultry.
1. Appearance characteristics of the water monitor lizard
The water monitor lizard is the giant lizard in my country and the second largest lizard in the world. Second only to the Komodo dragon. It can be more than 2 meters long, and Malaysia once had a record of 2.7 meters. The tail length is about three-fifths. The whole body is densely covered with small scales, the head is narrow and long, the snout is long, the tail is flat like a belt, and the limbs are thick—nostrils near the snout. The tongue is long, and the front end is deeply bifurcated—the scale protrusions on the back of the tail form two rows of ridges. The back is black with yellow markings. The ventral surface is pale yellow or gray with a few black markings. The tail is a black and yellow ring pattern.
2. Habits and characteristics of water monitor lizards
The juveniles of water monitor lizards have bright markings and often live in trees. Water monitor lizards have a lower body temperature than most other monitor lizards, and their small environment allows them to maintain a relatively constant temperature. They also have a slower metabolism than other monitor lizards and spend most of the day lying near the waterfront and active in the early morning. Hide in tree holes, caves, or thick vegetation at night. The caves of water monitor lizards can be seen everywhere, and water monitor lizards in different places have different activity habits. Adult water monitor lizards generally live near tropical and subtropical mangroves, swamps, and streams in mountainous areas. They often swim in the water and can also climb dwarf trees. Feeds on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, frogs, and carrion.
Although the size of the water monitor lizard is up to 2 meters, it is very docile to humans – especially children, and has no aggressiveness. So far, there is no recorded case of injury by water monitor lizards (including wild and domestic pets). In addition to being docile, water monitor lizards have another unique characteristic – cleanliness. Most monitor lizards carry a lot of bacteria, but the water monitor lizard does not, so it is very clean. Moreover, among all lizards, the water monitor lizard has the tiniest bacteria, and the number of bacteria on its body is only 30 / square centimeters. Water monitor lizards only carry a very small amount of bacteria, so when children are in close contact with them, there is no need to worry about hygiene.
3. Feeding methods of water monitor lizards
[Daily]
Due to the lack of picky eaters, Habits allow water monitor lizards to inhabit swampy areas where large animals cannot survive. Ze monitor lizards can eat any meat that can be swallowed, such as fish, crabs, birds, eggs, lizards, mice, frogs, snakes, and even dead bodies or garbage. Give them extraordinary survivability. Adapts well to captivity. The feeding environment is similar to that of the Nile monitor lizard, and the demand for water is very high. The food can be fed to ordinary crickets, mealworms, mice, eggs, etc. The larvae grow rapidly, so the supplement of calcium powder and vitamins is also very important, preferably every week. Served once.
Breeding
An adult female monitor lizard can lay up to 40 eggs a year. Often produced in 2 or more litters. Spawning can take place at any time of the year in areas lacking a significant wet and dry season. In other areas, breeding usually begins early in the wet season. Water giants behave very aggressively during mate selection, including grabbing and biting. Fighting between male monitor lizards Two adult monitor lizards (male or female) stand on their hind legs and try to knock each other down. Eggs are laid in termite mounds, as well as in burrows above the horizon. The timing of hatching varies widely, with records ranging from two and a half to 10 months or more. Like all monitor lizards, hatchlings are very secretive.
