Wildlifeof Nepal
Bengal Monitor
Monitor Lizards
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Varanus bengalensis
Basic stats
Diet
Beetles and larvae; larger animals take frogs, fish, lizards, snakes, rodents, hares and birds
Habitat
River valleys below 1,500m, from semi-arid habitat to moist forest
Range
Iran to Java, including the Indian subcontinent
Clutch size
About 20 eggs
Incubation period
168 to about 254 days
Size
Up to 175cm total; snout to vent 75cm; tail 100cm
Weight
Heavy individuals nearly 7.2kg
The Bengal monitor, or Indian monitor, is one of the most widely distributed monitor lizards, ranging from Iran to Java. It can reach 175cm, with a snout-to-vent length of 75cm and a tail of 100cm, and heavy individuals weigh nearly 7.2kg. Young monitors are more colourful, with dark crossbars on the neck, throat and back and yellow spots on the back, and adults become light brown or grey with a speckled look (Wikipedia, general species account).
It inhabits river valleys below 1,500m, from semi-arid habitat to moist forest. It is usually solitary and mostly ground-living, though the young are often in trees, and it shelters in burrows it digs or in crevices. It has keen eyesight and can detect human movement nearly 250m away. The main breeding season is June to September, and about 20 eggs hatch after 168 to 254 days. Its range includes Nepal.
Quick answers
- What does the Bengal Monitor eat?
- Beetles and larvae; larger animals take frogs, fish, lizards, snakes, rodents, hares and birds
- What habitat does the Bengal Monitor live in?
- River valleys below 1,500m, from semi-arid habitat to moist forest
- Where is the Bengal Monitor found?
- Iran to Java, including the Indian subcontinent
- How many eggs does the Bengal Monitor lay?
- About 20 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Bengal Monitor incubated?
- 168 to about 254 days
- How big is the Bengal Monitor?
- Up to 175cm total; snout to vent 75cm; tail 100cm
- How much does the Bengal Monitor weigh?
- Heavy individuals nearly 7.2kg