Water Monitor Lizard

The Water Monitor Lizard is an amphibious reptile belonging to the lizard family Varanidae in the order Squamata. It is also known as the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon and Water Hare Lizard. It is listed as a first-class national protected wild animal in China. The Water Monitor Lizard can reach a maximum body length of 3 meters and a weight of 30 kilograms. Its body is covered with small scales, with a narrow and long head, a long snout, and a flattened tail. Its limbs are stout, and its back is black with yellow markings. It is the largest species of lizards in China and one of the largest lizards in the world. It mainly feeds on fish, frogs, shrimp, rodents, and other reptiles, and also preys on birds, insects, and bird eggs when climbing trees. Occasionally, it also feeds on animal carcasses and sometimes climbs into villages to steal domestic poultry.

The Water Monitor Lizard is still abundant in some areas, although its numbers have declined within the Indian subcontinent over the past 150 years. They are still found in large numbers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but are only surviving in parts of the mainland of Sri Lanka such as Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Kolkata, and near the Garo Hills. Their decline is due to a combination of overhunting and habitat destruction, especially the clearing of mangrove forests. Similarly, there have been large numbers killed in Bangladesh in recent years. There are still significant populations in most southern regions, with large groups reported in southern China (Yunnan, etc.), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Malay Archipelago, Borneo, and the Indonesian islands. It has been reported that despite the presence of significant groups, the numbers have declined significantly in Kalimantan in recent years. In many areas, there are abundant numbers of Water Monitors, and Erdelen has reported that almost every kilometer of riverbank along Sumatra Island is inhabited by large Water Monitor Lizards.

Not recommended for keeping

One, Parasites

Parasites are a broad category, both internal and external, and need to be prevented and treated in a timely manner.

External: Lizards with external parasites usually show black or red bumps and dots on the surface. After discovery, they need to be removed immediately and the tank needs to be disinfected.

Internal: It requires special tools for examination, regular vaccination, and internal deworming.

Two, Sneezing

There are many reasons for sneezing, for example, in humans, sneezing is not necessarily a sign of illness, but it may be due to irritation. However, lizards don't breathe through their noses, and they mostly use them to excrete excess salt from their bodies. So it is normal for lizards to sneeze occasionally. However, if a lizard sneezes continuously, attention needs to be paid to respiratory infections. This disease needs to be treated early.

If you want to prevent this, you need to regularly clean the cage and maintain ventilation. Provide a clean and warm environment for the lizard.

Three, Tail Shedding

Lizards shedding tails is common. In order to escape, lizards will shed their tails to predators. If you are keeping them as pets and the lizard sheds its tail, you need to pay attention to the hygiene of the lizard's cage to avoid infection. Its tail will heal on its own, so you don't need to worry about it.

Four, Constipation

This is mainly due to the need for balanced nutrition in the diet and improved digestibility of food. If constipation occurs, you can soak the lizard in warm water and it will excrete after a period of time. If it still doesn't, stimulate it through massage.

Five, Metabolic Bone Disease

This disease is mainly caused by calcium deficiency, which makes the lizard's bones weak and prone to fractures. Prevention and treatment of this disease involves supplementing with calcium.

The Water Monitor Lizard hatchlings have bright patterns and spend most of their time in trees. Water Monitor Lizards have a lower body temperature than most other monitor lizards, allowing them to maintain a relatively constant temperature in their habitat. Their metabolism is also slower than other monitor lizards, and they spend most of their day near the water's edge and become active in the early morning. They hide in tree holes, caves, or dense vegetation at night. Water Monitor Lizard burrows can be found everywhere, and they have different activity patterns in different locations.

Adult Water Monitor Lizards generally inhabit mangroves, swamps, and streams in tropical and subtropical regions, and they often swim in water and climb low trees. They prey on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, frogs, and carrion, and they have a fierce and combative nature. They lay 15-30 eggs in burrows or tree holes on the bank from June to July.

Although Water Monitor Lizards can grow up to 2 meters long, they are very gentle towards humans, especially children, and completely non-aggressive. There has never been a record of a Water Monitor Lizard (including wild ones and pet ones) attacking humans anywhere in the world.

In addition to being gentle, Water Monitor Lizards have another unique feature - they are clean. Most monitor lizards carry a large number of bacteria, but Water Monitor Lizards do not, making them very clean. Among all lizards, Water Monitor Lizards have the fewest bacteria on their bodies, with only 30 bacteria per square centimeter. Water Monitor Lizards carry only a very small amount of bacteria, so there is no need to worry about hygiene when children come into close contact with them.