Found in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia, the monitor lizard family (Varanidae) includes the largest surviving species of lizards. As agile predators, they have long bodies and strong legs, and some species produce venomous saliva.
Rosenberg’s Monitor (Varanus rosenbergi) measures 1.5 meters in length and is found near the southern coast of Australia. With a varied diet, this species is a powerful digger and often forages underground.
Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) grows up to 2 meters long and inhabits rainforests and moist habitats in South Asia, often residing near water sources. Their large size allows them to prey on a variety of different animals.
Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) reaches 1.7 meters in length and is widely distributed across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Juveniles primarily consume plant matter, while adults prey on insects, small vertebrates, and bird eggs.
Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) measures 1.3 meters and lives in savannah habitats across Sub-Saharan Africa. They have strong limbs for digging and powerful jaws with blunt, serrated teeth.
Perentie (Varanus giganteus) is the largest lizard in Australia, measuring 2.5 meters in length and residing in the arid regions of the continent. Despite their size, they are quite shy. Their saliva contains mild venom.
Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus) grows up to 2 meters long and is the second largest reptile in Africa, following crocodiles. They scavenge as well as consume the typical diet of monitor lizards.
Gould’s Monitor (Varanus gouldii) measures 1.4 meters and inhabits open forests or grasslands throughout Australia. They actively hunt any animals smaller than themselves.
Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard in the world, measuring 3.1 meters, and is found only on a few islands in Indonesia. As a formidable predator, they specialize in hunting large animals with their powerful bite and venomous saliva.
