Bengal monitor 2042384 210910424 2008-05-07T23:00:09Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[fr:Varan du Bengale]] {{Taxobox | name = Bengal Monitor | image = Varanus_benghalensis.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Bengal Monitor Lizard | regnum = [[Animalia]] | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Reptilia]] | ordo = [[Squamata]] | familia = [[Varanidae]] | genus = '''''[[Varanus]]''''' | species = '''''V. bengalensis''''' | binomial = ''Varanus bengalensis'' | binomial_authority = ([[Daudin]], 1802) }} '''Bengal monitor''' (''Varanus bengalensis''), also known as the '''Common Indian Monitor''', is a [[monitor lizard]] found throughout [[Bangladesh]] and [[India]]. It measures up to 75 cm in body length with the tail about 100 cm in length. It feeds on small terrestrial [[vertebrate]]s, ground [[bird]]s and their [[Egg (biology)|egg]]s, [[arthropod]]s and [[fish]]. Although not uncommon, Monitor lizards are killed for their meat and skins and are threatened in many places by hunting. The lizard is known as ''Guishaap'' or ''Goshaap'' in [[West Bengal]] and Bangladesh, and as ''ghorpad'' in [[Maharashtra]] . The lizards have strong claws and in some parts of India this has led to the myth that they can cling strongly to surfaces. A popular legend in [[Maharashtra]] states that [[Shivaji]]'s general [[Tanaji Malusare]] used a monitor with ropes attached for climbing the walls of the [[Sinhagad]] fort in the [[Battle of Sinhagad]].<ref name="auffenberg">{{cite book | last = Auffenberg | first = Walter | authorlink = Walter Auffenberg | title = The Bengal Monitor | publisher = University Press of Florida | series = | year = 1994 | doi = | pages = 494 | isbn = 0813012953 }} </ref> ==Identification== [[Image:Varanus.jpg|thumb|250px|Heads of asian ''Varanus'' species]] Key to [[South Asia]]n ''Varanus'' species from Boulenger, Fauna of British India.<ref>Boulenger, G.A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Amphibia. Taylor & Francis.</ref> * A. Nostril an oblique slit, nearer to orbit than to end of snout; tail round or slightly compressed posteriorly - ''V. griseus'' * B. Nostril an oblique slit, tail compressed, keeled above. **a. Nostril a little nearer to end of snout than to orbit - ''V. flavescens'' **b. Nostril nearer to orbit than to end of snout ***a' Ventral scales smooth; supraoculars equal; nostril much nearer to orbit than to end of snout - ''V. bengalensis'' ***b' Ventral scales smooth; median supraoculars slightly enlarged transversely; nostril only a little nearer to orbit than to end of snout - ''V. nebulosus'' * C. Nostril roundish or oval, nearer to end of snout than to orbit; tail compressed, keeled above - ''V. salvator'' The Bengal monitor ''Varanus bengalensis'' can be distinguished from the Clouded monitor ''Varanus bengalensis nebulosus'' by larger scales above the eyes and fewer scales around the body.<ref>Mertens, R. (1942). Ein weiterer neuer Warane aus Australien. Zool. Anz. 137: 41-44</ref> There is considerable variation in colouration with adults being black, grey or brown with lighter patterns on the back. Hatchlings are brighter with dull orange and bold black and yellow bands on the body and tail. The males can grow up to 100cm. The females, on the other hand, do not grow this large. It has also been found that females have a much shorter tail and lack pre-anal flaps which can be found in males as patches of scales. Populations found in drier areas are lighter in colour. When they first hatch, they appear orange or brown with yellow and black rings around the body and tail. They also have claws which people believe is used to cling onto surfaces such as trees. ==Reproduction== Bengal monitors breed mostly during the wet season, but some of these animals found in Sri Lanka reproduce during December or January. In Thailand they have been known to breed throughout the year. Eggs are laid in burrows, dead logs or even in termite mounds, to give the offspring a greater chance of survival. Most young die before hatching or shortly after due to malnourishment. Young monitors feed only on insects and are normally found in trees. The siblings are likely to stay in a group together for the first few months of life. ==Food== Although these creatures are relatively large in size, especially for a lizard, they mostly feed on insects such as ants, snails and beetles. They also eat animals such as ground birds, fish, frogs, snakes, other lizards and small mammals. ==Distribution== Although called the Bengal Monitor, this species is among the most widely distributed of varanid lizards. It is found in river valleys in eastern [[Iran]], [[Afghanistan]], western [[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Burma]]. A subspecies ''Varanus bengalensis nebulosus'' called the Clouded Monitor occurs in southern [[Burma]], [[Vietnam]], [[Kampuchea]], [[Thailand]], [[Malaysia]], [[Sumatra]], [[Java]] and the [[Sunda Islands]]. ==Behavior== Bengal Monitors are usually solitary and usually found on the ground although the young are often seen on trees. ''V. b. nebulosus'' has a greater propensity for tree climbing. Large adults may ascend vertical tree trunks where they sometimes stalk and capture roosting bats. Their normal prey consists of beetles, grubs, orthopterans, scorpions, snails, ants and other invertebrates. Vertebrate prey is comparatively rare and includes frogs, fish, lizards, snakes and rodents. Bengal monitors shelter in burrows or crevices in rocks and buildings, whilst clouded monitors prefer tree hollows. Both races will make use of abandoned termite mounds. Males will fight each other in a bipedal fashion for females. After mating the female lays up to 30 eggs in a hollow dug in the ground and the eggs hatch in about five months. The young often remain together in loose groups and often live on trees and live on an insectivorous diet. ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== * Auffenberg, W. 1979 Intersexual differences in behaviour of captive Varanus bengalensis. J.Herpet. 13(3):313-315. * Auffenberg, W. 1979 Research on monitor lizards. Tiger Paper 6(4):20-21. * Auffenberg, W. 1981 Combat behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. J.Bombay N.H.S. 78(1):54-72. * Auffenberg, W. 1983 The burrows of Varanus bengalensis. Rec. Zool. Surv. India 80:375-385. * Auffenberg, W. 1983 Courtship behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. In Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary Biology: Essays in Honor of Ernest E. Williams (Rhodin & Myata eds.): 535-551. * Auffenberg, W. 1983 Notes on feeding behaviour of Varanus bengalensis. J. Bombay N.H.S. 80 (2): 286-302. * Auffenberg, W. 1986. The Indian monitor lizard. Sanctuary Asia. 6 (4):327-333. ==External links== * [http://mampam.50megs.com/monitors/bengalensis.html The online Little Book of Monitor Lizards] * [http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/sanctmagazine/index.php Two fighting Common Indian Monitor Lizard males "standing" make the cover of "Sanctuary Asia Magazine"] * [http://www.wildlifetimes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=601 The Story behind the Picture - "Monitor Lizards Combat" from the website of Jayanth Sharma's "WILDLIFE TIMES"] [[Category:Monitor lizards]] [[Category:Reptiles of Asia]] [[Category:Fauna of Iran]] [[Category:Fauna of Afghanistan]] [[Category:Reptiles of Pakistan]] [[Category:Fauna of India]] [[Category:Fauna of Nepal]] [[Category:Fauna of Sri Lanka]] [[Category:Fauna of Southeast Asia]] [[Category:Fauna of Bangladesh]] [[Category:Fauna of Burma]] [[Category:Fauna of Laos]] [[Category:Fauna of Vietnam]] [[Category:Fauna of Cambodia]] [[Category:Fauna of Thailand]] [[Category:Fauna of Malaysia]] [[Category:Fauna of Brunei]] [[Category:Reptiles of Indonesia]] [[fr:Varan du Bengale]] [[nl:Bengaalse varaan]] [[pl:Waran bengalski]] [[th:ตะกวด]]