MONITOR LIZARDS
By:SC
Classification
-Kingdom Animalia
-Phylum Chordata
-Class Reptilia
-Order Squamata
-Family Varanidae
-Genus Varanus
Monitor lizards
Monitor lizards are a group of reptiles that are typically quite large, carnivorous, and terrestrial though several exceptions to the main traits do exist.
Locations
Monitor lizards can be found in a host of biomes, the requirements being primarily land and warmer weather.
As Predators
As predators, monitor lizards are exceptionally skilled. They are very well muscled lizards and use a combination of a strong jaw, sharp teeth, claws, and most importantly intelligence to get the job done
Some monitors are even venomous!
Defensive Behaviour
When a monitor lizard feels it needs defend itself it not only has its claws, teeth, and intelligence, but also its tail. Their tails are well muscled and can hit a target with a great deal of force. Some simply will take out an eye or sting but others have gone so far as to cause people to lose consciousness
Hunting Behavior
Monitor lizards have several documented behaviors, the most notable of which in my opinion being the fact that they will at times work together as a team to catch/ find food
Monitor Lizards Nests
Monitor lizards often bury their eggs or hide them in a hollow tree in order to protect them.
At times, mothers will lay up to 40 eggs due to high mortality rates for young lizards
Komodo Dragon
Varanus komodoensis
Perhaps the most well known of the monitor lizards, the komodo dragon can reach up to ten feet long and 200lbs.
A komodo dragons diet typically consists of deer, goats, pigs, and when given the opportunity a dog or a even a person.
The komodo dragon has quite a bite with 60 teeth and saliva filled with dozens of strains of bacteria
Perentie
Varanus giganteus
The perentie is a the largest monitor that can be found in Australia, growing to be eight feet long and up to 40lbs.
Perenties aren’t picky eaters and find a meal in turtle eggs, mammals, birds, and even other reptiles.
Perenties will often create burrows with several exits and lay their eggs inside of termites nests
Rock Monitor
Varanus albigularis
The rock monitor lives in western africa and is the heaviest lizard in the area, weighing up to 40lbs
This reptile will often take to the trees in order to hunt or to find safety
Short Tailed Monitor
Varanus brevicauda
The short tailed monitor is the smallest of the monitor lizards, just under ten inches long, and resides in australia.
These lizards eat primarily insects, smaller reptiles and amphibians, and occasionally eggs.
Fun Facts!
Monitor lizards are usually quite intelligent. Studies have shown that some are even capable of counting.
The monitor lizards earned their name by their tendency to stand on their hind legs and “monitor” or observe surrounding areas.
Image sources
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/desert-profile/
http://www.earthtimes.org/encyclopaedia/environmental-issues/komodo-dragon/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lizard/abou-01.html
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/reptiles/squamata/varanidae/varanus_albigularis.htm
http://www.arkive.org/komodo-dragon/varanus-komodoensis/image-G6269.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=komodo+dragon+tail&espv=210&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=BLL8Urf3MMSbygHy7oGQCA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=667#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=cW2dN8zXc8VSSM%253A%3BhAU02QOAQGXyOM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-xY4_3Lq5k0I%252FTWCbaCoCKRI%252FAAAAAAAABo0%252FJ_OASyycbik%252Fs1600%252FImage_6.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblogevolved.blogspot.com%252F2011%252F02%252Fscott-person-on-recreating-theropods.html%3B1600%3B1067
Works Cited