Asian Water Monitor: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Crocodiles and Big Reptiles · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Most experts rank it as the second-biggest lizard on Earth. Only the Komodo dragon is larger.
2. Chased by a king cobra, it scrambles up a tree with its strong legs and claws. If that is not enough, it may leap down into a stream.
3. A superb swimmer, it uses the raised fin along its tail as a rudder to steer through the water.
4. Its teeth never stay long: spare ones wait behind each tooth, and every 59 days a new tooth takes over.
5. It has table manners: it can hold a catfish in its front legs, tear off bites with its teeth and eat the fish one part at a time.

The quiz

1. Which lizard is bigger than the Asian water monitor?

• Green iguana
• Komodo dragon (correct)
• Nile monitor
• Gila monster

It is the second-largest lizard, after the Komodo dragon.

2. After climbing a tree to escape danger, where may a water monitor jump?

• Into a bird's nest
• Onto a rooftop
• Into a stream (correct)
• Into a cave

It has been known to leap from trees into streams for safety.

3. What does it use to steer when swimming?

• A raised fin on its tail (correct)
• Wing-like flaps on its sides
• Its forked tongue
• Its long neck

The fin on its tail works like a rudder.

4. How often are its teeth replaced?

• Never
• Once in its life
• Every ten years
• Every 59 days (correct)

Spare teeth wait behind each tooth, and teeth change every 59 days.

5. How has a water monitor been seen eating a catfish?

• Sucking it through its nose
• Holding it in its front legs and tearing off bites (correct)
• Burying it in mud for a week
• Feeding it to its hatchlings

It eats catfish much like a mammal hunter, piece by piece.

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