European monitor lizard (SciiFii)

The European monitor lizard (Varanus europeansis), also known simply as the European monitor, is a species of monitor lizard that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the forests, swamps, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across Europe to help boost biodiversity. The European monitor is Europe's largest modern-styled lizard, growing on average to be about 120 to 220 centimeters (3 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 3 inches) in length, with the largest specimens attaining 244 centimeters (8 feet). With its sizes obtained, the European monitor is about the size of a Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus), the closest living relative of the European monitor. In body mass, adults are known to vary widely, some ranging from only 0.8 to 1.7 kilograms (1.8 to 3.7 lb), while others range from 5.9 to 20 kilograms (13 to 44 lb) in big monitors. Variations may be due to age or environmental conditions. They have muscular bodies, strong legs, and powerful jaws. Their teeth are sharp and pointed in juvenile animals and become blunt and peg-like in adults. They also possess sharp claws used for climbing, digging, defense, or tearing at their prey. Like all monitors, they have forked tongues, with highly developed olfactory properties. Their nostrils are placed high on their snouts, indicating these animals are very well adapted for an aquatic lifestyle. In dominantly aquatic habitats their semiaquatic behavior is considered to provide a measure of safety from predators. Paired with their generalist diet, this is thought to contribute to their ecological plasticity. When hunted by predators such as the golden jackal (Canis aureus) they will climb trees using their powerful legs and claws. If this evasion is not enough to escape danger, they have also been known to jump from trees into streams for safety, a tactic similar to that of the green iguana (Iguana iguana). They are also excellent climbers and quick runners on land. European monitors feed on a wide variety of prey items, including fish, frogs, toads (even poisonous ones of the genus Bufo), rodents, small reptiles and birds, eggs, invertebrates, and carrion. The social interactions of the European monitor is very similar to most other monitor species, spending throughout most of its life alone except during the breeding seasons. The conservation status of the European monitor is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the European monitor's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii