Revealing the beautiful monitor lizard species found only in Vietnam
A species of monitor lizard with unique patterns, living in southern Vietnam, is attracting researchers because of its rare beauty and special biological characteristics.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•02/08/2025
1. It is a medium-sized monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. Unlike its larger relatives such as the flower monitor or Komodo monitor, the clouded monitor is more modest in size, about 1.5 meters long when fully grown. Photo: Pinterest. 2. Distinctive body patterns. Their backs and bodies have patterns that give them a misty or cloudy appearance, true to their scientific name “nebulosus,” which means “cloud” in Latin. Photo: Pinterest.
3. Live mainly in forests and riverine areas. They are distributed in Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and some areas in southern Vietnam, often hiding in humid forests or near water sources. Photo: Pinterest. 4. It is an omnivorous species with good hunting ability. The monitor lizard's diet includes insects, eggs, small animals, and even carrion, which it detects with its forked tongue and extremely sensitive sense of smell. Photo: Pinterest.
5. Excellent climbing and swimming ability. They climb trees to avoid enemies or find prey, and are also very good swimmers thanks to their long, flat tails and strong legs. Photo: Pinterest. 6. Very shy and wary of humans. When threatened, they often run away, hide in rocks, climb trees or dive into water instead of attacking. Photo: Pinterest. 7. Plays an important ecological role in the forest. As a mid-level predator, the monitor lizard helps control the number of small creatures, maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Photo: Pinterest.
8. Needs intact habitat to survive. Deforestation and wildlife trade have significantly reduced the number of monitor lizards in the wild. Photo: thainationalparks.com.
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