Monitor lizards have massive bodies with powerful legs for running swiftly. Long, sharp claws assist in digging dens, climbing and are used as weapons. When threatened, monitors inflate their bodies and hiss, deterring attack with a violently lashing tail. Prey is detected with a forked, snake-like tongue which tracks the scent. Their diet consists of turtles, lizards, snakes, mice, birds, carrion and invertebrates.
Monitors have sharp teeth and can expand their mouth cavity to swallow prey whole.
Monitor lizards do well when left alone, but their numbers are threatened due to the demand for their skins and meat. Their life span is about 15 years.