Monitor lizards are usually large reptiles, although some can be as small as 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semiaquatic monitors are also known. Almost all monitor lizards are carnivorous, although Varanus bitatawa, Varanus mabitang and Varanus olivaceus are also known to eat fruit. They are oviparous, laying from seven to 37 eggs, which they often cover with soil or protect in a hollow tree stump.
The various species of Varanus cover a vast area, occurring through Africa, the Asian subcontinent from India and Sri Lanka to China, down Southeast Asia to Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia and islands of the Indian Ocean, and South China Sea. There is also a large concentration of monitor lizards in Tioman Island in the Malaysian state of Pahang.
During the late Cretaceous era, monitor lizards or their close relatives are believed to have evolved into amphibious and then fully marine forms, the mosasaurs, which reached lengths of up to 17 m.
During the Pleistocene epoch, giant monitor lizards lived in Southeast Asia and Australasia, the best known fossil being Varanus priscus (formerly known as Megalania prisca). This species is an iconic member of the Pleistocene megafauna of Australia.
The Green Tree Monitor found | Green Tree Monitor Setup | GREEN TREE MONITOR VARANUS | Green tree monitor | Green tree monitor lizard |
Green Tree Monitor | Green Tree Monitor by ~Injato | Green Tree Monitor | Green Tree Monitor picture | Green Tree Monitor |
Green tree monitor Varanus | bred Snakes and Monitors | Green Tree Monitor | green tree monitor | Green Tree Monitor picture |
stock photo Green Tree | bred Snakes and Monitors |
No comments:
Post a Comment