monitor lizard
Forked-tongue Old-World
Monitor lizards are large reptiles of the family Varanidae, found in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
They are characterized by long necks, powerful limbs with sharp claws, and forked tongues used to sense their environment.
Monitors range from modest-sized species to the Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard.
They are active predators and scavengers, often bold and intelligent by reptile standards.
The name likely derives from their habit of standing on hind legs as if monitoring their surroundings.
Plates or weighing devices
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- forked-tongueDeliberately deceptive in speech
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
squamata · oviparous · claws · basking · shedding · scutes · terrestrial · burrowing
Surprise strike from concealment
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- preyAnimal being hunted
- huntPursuit of quarry
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
scavenger · opportunistic · carrion · insectivore · teeth · claws · tracking · camouflage
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
- mangrovesSalt-water coastal trees
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- jungleDense tropical forest
riverbank · burrow · canopy · undergrowth · arid · semi-aquatic · Indonesia · Australia
scales
Plates or weighing devices
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- forked-tongueDeliberately deceptive in speech
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
herpetology · squamata · oviparous · claws · basking · shedding · scutes · terrestrial · burrowing · Komodo
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
stealth · scavenger · opportunistic · carrion · insectivore · teeth · claws · tracking · camouflage · forage
rainforest
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
- mangrovesSalt-water coastal trees
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
jungle · riverbank · burrow · canopy · undergrowth · arid · semi-aquatic · Indonesia · Australia · Africa
dragon
Legendary fire-breathing reptile
- serpentCunning, limbless reptile
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- bunyipAboriginal folklore water creature
naga · folklore · omen · totem · ancient · fearsome · primordial · prehistoric
forked-tongue
Deliberately deceptive in speech
- monitor lizardsKomodo, goanna
- animalscat, dog, bird, fish, cow
- reptilessnake, turtle, crocodile, alligator, python
- African Safarielephant, elephants, lions, zebras, zebra
- African wildlifeelephant, African elephant, lion, hippo, elephants
- ambush predatorscrocodile, alligator, trapdoor spider, anglerfish, praying mantis
monitor lizardgecko
Climbing lizard with toe pads
house gecko · anole · wall lizard · skink · fence lizard
monitor lizardtortoise
Land-dwelling shelled reptile
box turtle · butterfly · rabbit · mouse · cricket