Philippine Water Monitor Varanus cumingi

The beautiful Philippine Water Monitor is native to the southern Philippines.

It is sometimes called the Yellow-headed or Mindanao Water Monitor to distinguish from the Marbled Water Monitor which is also sometimes referred to as the Philippine.

The male (top row) is more brightly-coloured than the female (above), both sought after in the pet trade for their colour. Until recently (2007) the lizard was considered a subspecies of the Asian or Common Water Monitor (Varanus salvator).

Monitor lizards and Tegus have forked tongues like snakes to "taste" their environment. Water monitors live near water and can swim well.