Encounter With A Monitor Lizard
Written by Choy Yu Feng, 1E4 and Mr William Teng
Here is a student contribution:
'Location: Punggol Park
Encounter: I was walking home when I met this reptile. I was walking when I heard the leaves in the drain move. I looked down at the drain and saw this reptile running away. It was about 35 cm* long . There was many holes in the ground connecting to the drain to prevent flooding and that/s how i guess it went in.'
*The lizard appears to be at least 60 cm long.
The Asian water monitor or Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a commonly sighted lizard in this part of Singapore because of the many canals and waterways. They are excellent swimmers and have powerful legs and claws. Do exercise caution if you come across them. These lizards have many sharp teeth and can give gashing bites that can sever tendons and veins, causing extensive bleeding (Wikipedia).
Monitor lizards are related to Komodo dragons and they share the same genus. They feed on carrion and may also feed on dead human bodies.
Random fact: In one disturbing scene in a Thai horror film, the villagers found the corpse of an elderly person being fed on by monitor lizards. While this is fictitious, it certainly is disturbing!
If you have seen any interesting flora or fauna in school or your neighbourhood, please share your story and photos with us!
Here is a student contribution:
'Location: Punggol Park
A Malayan water monitor in the drain
Photo credit: Choy Yu Feng
A closer look
Photo credit: Choy Yu Feng
The lizard running away
Photo credit: Choy Yu Feng
Encounter: I was walking home when I met this reptile. I was walking when I heard the leaves in the drain move. I looked down at the drain and saw this reptile running away. It was about 35 cm* long . There was many holes in the ground connecting to the drain to prevent flooding and that/s how i guess it went in.'
*The lizard appears to be at least 60 cm long.
The Asian water monitor or Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a commonly sighted lizard in this part of Singapore because of the many canals and waterways. They are excellent swimmers and have powerful legs and claws. Do exercise caution if you come across them. These lizards have many sharp teeth and can give gashing bites that can sever tendons and veins, causing extensive bleeding (Wikipedia).
Monitor lizards are related to Komodo dragons and they share the same genus. They feed on carrion and may also feed on dead human bodies.
Random fact: In one disturbing scene in a Thai horror film, the villagers found the corpse of an elderly person being fed on by monitor lizards. While this is fictitious, it certainly is disturbing!
If you have seen any interesting flora or fauna in school or your neighbourhood, please share your story and photos with us!
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