Asian water monitor

Description:

There are 4 different species of monitor lizard in Khao Sok, the Bengal, Dumeril’s, rough-necked and the most common, the Asian Water Monitor. The Asian Water Monitor is a monitor lizard in the Varanidae Family and is found widely distributed over South and Southeast Asia. They are mainly terrestrial; the young monitor is more arboreal but adults mainly hunt on the ground. They are capable of rapid movement on the ground. Small Asian Water Monitors may climb trees to escape danger; they can climb well. They are usually shy and avoid humans contact. Moreover, they have keen eyesight and can detect human movement up to 250 m. away. The Asian Water Monitor has been known to live for nearly 22 years in captivity. Even though, they are listed as Least Concern by IUCN they are protected in Thailand in accordance with the Wildlife Preservation and Protection act 1992.