Asian Water Monitor Varanus salvator

The Asian Water Monitor is a large, water-loving lizard native near waterways of much of South and Southeast Asia. The one shown on this page is the Malayan Water Monitor, subspecies V. s. macromaculatus, also called the Southeast Asian Water Monitor, native to some of mainland Southeast Asia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo and nearby offshore islands.

The larger males can reach up to 2 metres in length (exceptionally nearly 3m) and can weigh up to 20kg, (exceptionally twice that - the second heaviest monitor after the Komodo Dragon). They are strong with a muscular build, climb well and are adapted for water life such as nostrils high on the head and a laterally-compressed tail (rudder).

The rounded nostrils, high on the head and near the tip of the snout for water living (unlike the Clouded Monitor which shares its territory in Singapore - where these were photographed - and elsewhere, which has elongated nostrils midway along its snout).

Monitor lizards have forked tongues like snakes to taste their environment.

They are carnivorous, eating any living prey or carrion.

They seem unafraid of people or other animals and can defend themselves with their claws, teeth and long, strong tail.