Monitor Lizards

Clouded Monitor

The clouded monitor is similar to but smaller than  the Malayan water monitor.  The table below will help you to separate the two species.

 

Water Monitor

Clouded Monitor

Behaviour when fleeing danger

As their name suggests, they will attempt to reach water for safety (although they can climb trees).

This species of monitor has sharp claws and prefers to climb a tree to reach safety.

Position of the nostrils

Near the tip of the snout (so they can breath while swimming)

Mid-way between the eye and snout

Size

Up to 3 m in length and 50 kg in weight

Length of 1.5 m or less (to facilitate tree climbing)

Eats

Fish, frogs, snakes, rodents, birds and their eggs, crabs, large inverts, dead animals / road kill

Beetles, other insects, worms, small reptiles, birds’ eggs

 



Malayan Water Monitor


The water monitor below is among the largest I have seen. I estimate that it is just under 2m in length.

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