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Water Monitor Lizard


Water Monitor Lizard
Photo Information
Copyright: Foozi Saad (foozi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 228 W: 0 N: 187] (900)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-01
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D80, Nikkor 70-300mm / F 4-5,6 G AF
Exposure: f/4.8, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-16 6:04
Viewed: 333
Points: 4
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Monitor Lizard
Varanus salvator
Asian/Water/Common Water Monitor, Two-banded Monitor, Rice/Ring/Plain/No-Mark Lizard
Among the largest lizards in the world, Malayan Water Monitors can survive in habitats that wouldn't be able to support other large carnivores
They are so successful because they are cold blooded and hence make more efficient use of food.
In addition, they eat anything that they can swallow. From tiny insects, to crabs, molluscs, snakes, eggs (of birds and crocodiles), fish including eels up to 1m long. They also eat birds, rodents, small mouse deer, even other monitor lizards. They are particularly fond of carrion. They even eat rubbish, human faeces, and even dead bodies. They eat prey almost as big as themselves: one 1.2m long ate a snake 1.3m long.
The Water Monitor's main hunting technique is to run after prey that it has spotted, rather than stalking and ambushing. Like snakes, they have a forked tongue that they stick in and out regularly to "smell" their prey and other tasty titbits.
Warm blooded creatures have to burn fuel constantly to keep their temperature constant. Cold blooded creatures don't and thus can get by with less food.
Water Monitors are more active than reptiles of their size because they are able to maintain an almost constant body temperature. They do this by choosing appropriate micro-climates in their habitat; hiding when it's hot and in warm places when it's cool at night.
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Foozi, wonderful shot of this monitor lizard.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Bahadır

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-06-17 10:16]

Hi Foozi,
Wonderful shot of this great looking Water Monitor Lizard with amazing colours and markings on its scales. Nice pose captured and I like the way it keeps an eye on you. The natural setting looks great. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

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