Asian water monitor

The Asian water monitor, also known as the common water monitor, is a large lizard native to South and Southeast Asia. These impressive creatures are found from Sri Lanka and northeastern India to Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and various Indonesian islands. They are quite common in Asia and are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating they are not currently at significant risk of extinction. First described by Laurenti in 1768, they rank among the largest lizards in the world.

These lizards are also known by various names, including Malayan water monitor, two-banded monitor, rice lizard, and ring lizard. The name "Varanus" derives from the Arabic word for "monitor" while their specific scientific name has a religious connotation. Occasionally, they are mistaken for crocodile monitors due to similarities in their scientific names.

Part of the family Varanidae, the Asian water monitor belongs to a group encompassing nearly 80 species of monitor lizards under the genus Varanus. There remains some taxonomic uncertainty within this group, prompting ongoing research to better understand and classify them.

Asian water monitors are substantial in size, with males growing up to 1.5–2 meters in length, and females being slightly smaller. They have muscular bodies, long, powerful tails, and keeled scales. Typically, their coloration is dark brown or blackish with yellow spots on their undersides. They are known for being predators with a varied diet that includes fish, frogs, rodents, and birds.

These lizards are semiaquatic, meaning they thrive both in water and on land. They inhabit various environments such as freshwater and brackish wetlands and are highly adaptable, even thriving in human-disturbed areas like agricultural lands and cities with canal systems. Asian water monitors are excellent swimmers, possess a keen sense of smell, and employ various defensive tactics.

Despite their adaptability, Asian water monitors face threats from the global trade for their skin, traditional uses in some regions, and habitat loss. Conservation efforts are underway in countries like Nepal, Hong Kong, and Malaysia to protect them. Despite these challenges, the species remains listed as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and ability to thrive in human-altered environments.