What sort of animal is a monitor?

monitor, (family Varanidae), any lizard of the genera Varanus or Lanthanotus in the family Varanidae. About 50 species of Varanus are recognized in the subfamily Varaninae. Most have an elongated head and neck, a relatively heavy body, a long tail, and well-developed legs. Their tongues are long, forked, and snakelike.

1. What type of creatures are monitors?
2. Is monitor an animal?
3. Is a monitor lizard a reptile or an amphibian?
4. Is a monitor lizard a dinosaur?
5. Are monitor lizards pets?
6. Are monitor lizards mean?
7. Are monitor lizards carnivores?
8. Is a monitor lizard a mammal?
9. Why is a monitor lizard called a monitor lizard?
10. Is Komodo dragon and monitor lizard same?
11. Can humans eat monitor lizard?
12. Do monitor lizards eat snakes?
13. What is the scientific name of monitor lizard?
14. Is a monitor lizard venomous?

What type of creatures are monitors?

Monitor lizards are large lizards in the genus Varanus. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and one species is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. About 80 species are recognized.

Is monitor an animal?

The Monitor Lizard is a large lizard belonging to the family Varanidae. There are 79 species of this reptile and they are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania. ... Most monitor species are terrestrial and found on land but some species will live in trees or are semi-aquatic.

Is a monitor lizard a reptile or an amphibian?

Monitor lizards are a large species of lizards. Like other lizards, they are reptiles (class Reptilia).

Is a monitor lizard a dinosaur?

Megalania. Megalania is not a dinosaur. It is an extinct giant goanna (or monitor lizard) that once roamed southern Australia. ... Although Megalania seems to have disappeared sometime after 50,000 years ago, there are actually still reports of these animals to this day.

Are monitor lizards pets?

Although monitor lizards are sometimes kept as pets, they are still wild animals and should be treated as such. However, for the right person, monitor lizards can make ideal pets.

Are monitor lizards mean?

Nile monitors are one of the most aggressive lizards found in the pet trade and do not make good pets unless you are a very experienced lizard keeper.

Are monitor lizards carnivores?

Monitor lizards are mostly carnivorous; some also scavenge on carrion.

Is a monitor lizard a mammal?

View all of the Monitor Lizard images! Lizards in the monitor lizard family are among the largest lizards in the world. These reptiles are mainly native to Asia, Africa, and Australia, but can also be found in parts of the Americas due to the illegal pet trade.

Why is a monitor lizard called a monitor lizard?

The common name Monitor is from the Latin verb 'monere' meaning 'to warn'. This was given to these lizards because of their habit of standing up on their hind legs, as though they are monitoring their surroundings. So the scientific name simply means 'many-coloured lizard'.

Is Komodo dragon and monitor lizard same?

Komodo dragon, (Varanus komodoensis), largest extant lizard species. The dragon is a monitor lizard of the family Varanidae. It occurs on Komodo Island and a few neighbouring islands of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.

Can humans eat monitor lizard?

And no, they definitely weren't “scouting” for humans. Their varied diet consists largely of invertebrates and other small animals like insects, rats, toads, etc. However, the opposite is true: monitor lizards are illegally hunted, trafficked and consumed across India, and they're endangered.

Do monitor lizards eat snakes?

Water monitor lizards have forked tongues to assist their senses, big claws, sharp teeth, scaly skin, powerful legs, and strong tails. ... Monitors are carnivores, eating rodents, snakes, fish, birds, and other small creatures. They will also eat carrion.

What is the scientific name of monitor lizard?

Family. Varanidae – Monitors, Monitor Lizards. Genus. Varanus Merrem, 1820 – Monitor Lizards.

Is a monitor lizard venomous?

Monitor lizards – a group which includes the famous Komodo dragon – have traditionally not been considered to have venom. ... But our new paper has contributed more data that suggests that not only are these lizards venomous, but that they may have toxins which have potential to treat blood disorders in humans.