Monitor Lizard

Description:

Monitor lizards are fantastic creatures. They are agile, powerful and the most intelligent lizards of the world. Varanus palawanensis, is a monitor lizard endemic to the Philippines. It has been recently described by KOCH, GAULKE & BOHME. It has enough differences to be considered a distinct species from the closely related water monitor, marbled water monitor and Varanus rasmusseni. Varanus palawanensis belongs to the subgenus Soterosaurus with these other species. This species is found on islands of Palawan, Busuanga, Calauit, Balabac and Sibutu in Tawi-tawi.

Habitat:

Varanus palawanensis like all water monitors, is often found in disturbed to primary growth riparian habitats in low- to mid-elevations.

Notes:

This monitor lizard was photographed at the bushes near the entrance to the Puerto Princesa subterranean river in Palawan Philippines. They are at ease walking in between people waiting for a ride into the underground river since it is forbidden by law to disturb them.