Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator), southern Sri Lanka
This is one of the world's largest lizards, males in some cases growing to over 3 metres in length. The habitat is wetlands of all kinds, even close to human habitation, where, as in Sri Lanka, it is not persecuted. It is an excellent swimmer. I found it a moderately scary encounter. Its bite has recently been discovered to be venomous. It feeds on frogs, rodents, crabs, terrapins, etc. In parts of India and Southeast Asia it is hunted for its meat (which is also considered to be an aphrodisiac) and for the leather goods industry.
131218 398
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All images are the property of the photographer and may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded, transmitted or used in any way without the written permission of the photographer, who can be contacted by registering with flickr and using flickrmail.
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Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator), southern Sri Lanka
This is one of the world's largest lizards, males in some cases growing to over 3 metres in length. The habitat is wetlands of all kinds, even close to human habitation, where, as in Sri Lanka, it is not persecuted. It is an excellent swimmer. I found it a moderately scary encounter. Its bite has recently been discovered to be venomous. It feeds on frogs, rodents, crabs, terrapins, etc. In parts of India and Southeast Asia it is hunted for its meat (which is also considered to be an aphrodisiac) and for the leather goods industry.
131218 398
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All images are the property of the photographer and may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded, transmitted or used in any way without the written permission of the photographer, who can be contacted by registering with flickr and using flickrmail.
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