Varanae

Monitor lizards are the enigmatic and spectacular ‘Dragons’, that allow us Humans to see some small glimpse of the ancient reptiles that have not survived to the Present Day, unlike them. They are serpentine in their movements, and it is clear to understand that these lizards are very closely related to Snakes. In fact, Snakes branched off on their own line, from the same common archaic ancestor of the Monitors. As far as lizards go, these are some of the most intelligent, and this us because these animals are opportunistic lizards that have to adapt to survive in the places of the world where the climate allows them to live. Another point to reinforce the fact that these animals are the closest cousins of the Snakes, is that they swallow their prey whole, as they find it difficult to chew. Many are kept as pets today, though a good owner and home are required for a good life for the animal. A famous example of the Monitors, are the Komodo Dragons. Though, really, many people may not think of the Komodo Dragon as being anything less than a killer reptile with a ‘dirty-bite’. In truth, most Monitors conform to the same shape as the Komodo Dragons – or alternatively, the Komodo Monitors – and it is colouration and die that varies. Clever and inquisitive, they can be pesky scavengers and nest-robber when they want to be. Many are aggressive, solitary animals, that have no problems in defending themselves; some sizeable (sizeable, as in around 4-8 feet or more long) Monitor Lizards are so aggressive, that even on their own, they have been observed walking through prides of Lions, pack of Hyenas and even many basking Crocodiles, fearlessly and uncaringly. These are beautiful reptiles. Though today, they can only get to around 14 feet, up until 20,000 years ago, in Australia, a giant Monitor, called Megalania, was over 6 metres long, and weighed 1 tonne.