REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: VARANIDAE: Varanus

Varanus salvator Laurenti

Water monitor

Photos & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range:

Diagnosis: 

A water monitor (above) and an Indian clouded monitor, Varanus nebulosus (below). Even experts 
often misidentify these lizards; both were in a museum labeled as Varanus bengalensis.

Description: 

Natural History:

Reproduction:

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:  

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

Literature: Click on book to order.

Auffenberg, Walter. 1982. Catch a lizard, use a lizard. Animal Kingdom 12(6): 16-19.

Bennett, Daniel. 1998. Monitor lizards: Natural history, biology & husbandry. Edition Chimaira. ISBN: 3-930612-10-0.

Eidenmüller, Bernd. 1997. Warane: Lebensweise, Pflege, Zucht. Herpeton, Offenbach. In German. ISBN: 3-9802892-7-3. 

Sprackland, Robert. 1992. Giant Lizards. TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-86622-634-6.