Superfamily: Varanoidea
This superfamily includes monitors, semiaquatic lizards, and the venomous lizards. They vary greatly in characteristics.
No Information Domesticated Near Threatened Endangered Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Family: Helodermatidae (Venomous Lizards)
Beaded Lizard
Heloderma horridum Native to Mexico and southern Guatemala, this lizard makes an interesting study. Its primary diet is eggs which means its venom appears unnecessary. Scientists have been working with its venom to find medical solution to some common diseases. The Beaded Lizard is one of only two species of venomous lizard native to North America.
|
Rio Fuerte Beaded Lizard
Heloderma horridum exasperatum |
|
Banded Gila Monster
Heloderma suspectum suspectum Native to the southwestern United States, this lizard is the only venomous species in the United States and only one of two native to North America. It is little threat to humans. It can grow to just over 1 ft in length and consumes small mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and carrion.
|
Family: Shinisauridae (Chinese Crocodile Lizard)
|
Chinese Crocodile Lizard
Shinisaurus crocodilurus Native to China and northern Vietnam, it lives at elevations from 600 feet to around 4000 feet. It has rows of bony scales along its back giving it its name. The Crocodile Lizard has scattered small populations, and evaluations of its population have been difficult due to its habitat. There are estimates of around 1100 remaining in the wild.
See also: Crocodile Lizard |
Family: Varanidae (Monitors)
Black-Throated Monitor
Varanus albigularis ionidesi This subspecies of monitor is native to Tanzania. It can grow to over 6 ft in length and will eat anything it can catch.
|
|
Black Tree Monitor
Varanus beccarii |
|
Savannah Monitor
Varanus exanthematicus Also known as a Bosc's Monitor, this is a medium-sized lizard native to Africa. It grows to around 3 ft in length and feeds on arthropods and mollusks. It consumes mainly crickets, although it can tackle more formidable prey too.
|
|
Komodo Dragon
Varanus komodoensis Also known as a Komodo Monitor, this is the largest living species of lizard. They can grow to nearly 10 ft in length and weigh over 150 lbs. They are native to only a handful of islands in Indonesia. Komodo Dragons are carnivorous and can take down mammals as large as deer. Large animals it tears to pieces, smaller animals it swallows whole. Over 50 strains of rapidly-growing bacteria have been found in its mouth. If the attack of a large animals doesn't kill the prey, the bacteria from one bite would.
|
|
Biak Tree Monitor
Varanus kordensis Also known as a Kordo Tree Monitor, this species was once considered a subspecies of the Emerald Tree Monitor. This monitor is native to the island of Biak in Indonesia.
|
|
Merten's Water Monitor
Varanus mertensi This species is listed on Appendix II for the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species.
see also: CITES |
|
Nile Monitor
Varanus niloticus Also known as a African Small-Grain Lizard, Water Leguaan, or River Leguaan, this monitor is common throughout much of Africa. It can grow to around 6 ft, although some have grown as long as 8 ft. They are good swimmers, good climbers, and are fast on land. Nile Monitors eat fish, eggs, small mammals, reptiles, and birds as well as carrion.
|
|
Gray's Monitor
Varanus olivaceus Also known as a Gray's Monitor Lizard, Butaan Monitor, and Ornate Monitor.
|
Crocodile Monitor
Varanus salvadorii Also known as Salvadori's Monitor, the Papuan Monitor, or simply as Artellia, these lizards can grow to 8 ft. in length. These arboreal lizards prefer the mangroves and coastal swamps of southern New Guinea. They feed on a variety of prey and carrion. The Crocodile Monitor is facing environmental problems because the locals consider it to be a fire-breathing man-killer to be skinned while alive.
|
|
Malayan Water Monitor
Varanus salvator salvator Also known as a Asian Water Monitor, Common Water Monitor, Two-Banded Monitor, Rice Lizard, Ring Lizard, Plain Lizard, No-Mark Lizard, as well as simply Water Monitor. There are at least 4 subspecies. This particular one is native to Sri Lanka.
|
|
Timor Monitor
Varanus timorensis |