Varanus salvator   

Common water monitor

TAXONOMY: This species complex currently recognizes six subspecies, i.e. Varanus s. salvator, V. salvator andamanensis, V. salvator bivittatus, V. salvator celebensis, V. salvator macromaculatus and V. salvator ziegleri; in several island populations the taxonomic status remains uncertain (also see Auliya & Koch 2020).

DISTRIBUTION: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam (see Auliya & Koch 2020)

RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern (LC) in 2018

CITES: Appendix II

NATIONAL PROTECTION:

India. – Listed in Schedule 1, Part II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972

THREATS:

RESEARCH NEEDS:

CURRENT PROJECTS

Adult wild Varanus salvator andamanensis, Port Blair, Andaman Isl. © Antony Grossy