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Malayan Water Monitor

Varanus salvator

Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The last one was one of the biggest I had seen and was in the middle of the pathway between two lagoons. We stopped to look, photograph and wait, as did a family party coming the other way, but then they allowed their very young boy to walk up to it and start teasing it by kicking out towards it while they stood a safe distance away. I wondered if they realised that if the Monitor got angry it might flick round its long tail and break his legs, either maiming or killing him! Fortunately it ignored him and eventually went for a swim. The sad thing is he may one day do the same thing to a Crocodile (they also live there but are less frequently seen) and become lunch.

Habitat:

Mangroves

Notes:

Anyone up to identifying the insect on the head of the 4th one?

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
Scott Frazier
"Kicking out towards it" ...sigh... It is amazing what (inexperienced) parents will allow their children to do, or alternatively, that they will not intervene to effect the safety of their children, with regard to wildlife (as well as other hazards). They seem to forget the "wild" part of wildlife...I have seen (or heard) this type of thing over and over with crocodilians, monitors, pythons, whatever... While Varanaus salvator is typically more shy than ferocious, you are right Malcolm, it could lash out with that powerful tail if it felt "cornered". It could even bite, although this is rare, and relic venom of this species has not been noted to cause worrisome envenomation as far as I know. (That's right, it's not just gila monsters and Mexican beaded lizards that are technically venomous any more ... there are 100 such species, but almost all aren't serious threats to humans). And you're of course correct about those salties...
Josh Asel
What a monster - great series Malcolm.
KeithRoragen
Great series. Especially love the fourth shot.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
2013 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
The Biodiversity of Singapore
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Photographed
PublishedMay 18, 2013

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