BEHAVIOUR

Scientific research into behavioural traits of Varanus spp. is an essential component to understand a species in its ecosystem. Specific behavioural traits include, foraging, basking, reproductive behaviour, etc…

Basking behaviour – thermoregulation

Varanus salvator macromaculatus - FRIM, West Malaysia

Adult wild Varanus salvator macromaculatus basking, peninsular Malaysia © Mark Auliya

Monitor lizards as scavengers and predators

Adult wild Varanus bengalensis feeding on a carcass of a water buffalo?, Rajasthan, India © Dharmendra Khandal

Subadult wild Varanus bengalensis preying on a centipede, Rajasthan, India © Dharmendra Khandal

Adult wild Varanus griseus preying on a spiny-tailed lizard (Saara hardwicki), Rajasthan, India © Dharmendra Khandal

Adult wild Varanus varius raiding a nest of an eastern short-necked turtle (Emydura macquarii ssp.), Queensland © Gary Stephenson

Another event, with an adult wild Varanus varius raiding a nest of an eastern short-necked turtle (Emydura macquarii ssp.), Queensland © Gary Stephenson

Predators of monitor lizards

A crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) attacking Varanus bengalensis © Dharmendra Khandal

Peafowls (Pavo cristatus) watching and disturbing the crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) with the killed Varanus bengalensis, Rajasthan, India© Dharmendra Khandal

Subadult Asian Caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) holding a kill of Varanus bengalensis, Rajasthan, India © Dharmendra Khandal

Subadult Asian Caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) with a kill of a Varanus bengalensis, Rajasthan, India © Dharmendra Khandal

Camera trap record of a honey badger (Mellivora capensis) with capture of a monitor lizard at 3:49 a.m. (11/30/2021), Rajasthan, India © Dharmendra Khandal

Reproductive behaviour

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Behaviour

Basking behaviour – thermoregulation

Monitor lizards as scavengers and predators

Predators of monitor lizards

Reproductive behaviour

Interesting links