Asian Water Monitor

Varanus salvator

### Regions

India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei

## Habitat

### Water Area

280 m² +30 m²/ea. add'l
75 m² +25 m²/ea. add'l

### Temperature

0 m²
12‒42 ℃

## Social

### Fem. Bachelor

1‒2 (up to one male, up to one female)
1
1

### Sterility

3 years
Death

### Interbirth

8 months
24 months

## Taxonomy

### Order

Reptilia
Squamata

### Genus

Varanidae
Varanus

The **Asian Water Monitor** (*Varanus salvator*) is a large Asian lizard featured in the Tropical Pack DLC for *Planet Zoo*.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population In Wild:** Unknown

The Asian water monitor (or Varanus salvator) is a large reptile native to the rainforests, swamps, and mangrove forests throughout much of the warmer areas of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It is dark green to black in coloration, with pale brown and yellow reticulated markings across its whole body. These reticulations often appear as bands on the tail. The Asian water monitor displays sexual dimorphism, with males being larger. Male monitors measure 5ft to 6.6ft in length, and weigh between 11lb and 110lb, averaging at 44lb, while females measure 4ft to 5.9ft in length and weigh 4.4lb to 48.4lb.

Asian water monitors are not endangered and are classed as a species of Least Concern, however they are considered to be a protected species in Nepal and Hong Kong. Their skin is commonly used in the leather trade, and they are hunted for their meat and eggs for human consumption. Habitat loss and hunting pressure may contribute to localized declines in mature populations, though overall, the Asian water monitor is a common animal in its range.

### Social

Asian water monitors are solitary animals and prefer to be alone.

### Reproduction

During the breeding season, which lasts from April to October, male Asian water monitors are extremely territorial. They aggressively defend their territory from other males, with frequent violent fights consisting of biting and tail whips. Larger males are more likely to mate, as their size and strength offers an advantage when fighting rivals. The owner of a territory will track all females moving through it, and will mate with all who are receptive.

Roughly 30 to 45 days after copulation, the female will lay 10 to 40 eggs in a rotting log, a burrow in the riverbank, or a termite nest. 6 to 7 months later, the eggs will hatch. Asian water monitors are independent from the point of hatching and must fend for themselves. As generalist predators, the hatchlings eat a lot and grow rapidly.

Male Asian water monitors reach sexual maturity after achieving a body length of 3.3ft, while females reach sexual maturity at a body length of 20in. Generally, this happens around 2 years of age. At 3 years old, the metabolic and growth rates of Asian water monitors slow; however, they grow throughout their whole lives.

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Frozen Blood Pumpkin · Dog Ball · Bamboo Feeder · Restraint Feeder · Underwater Fish Feeder
Blood Scent Marker · Water Jet Rock · Prey-Scented Sack ·
Rubber Duck · Rubbing Pad · Rubbing Pad Bark · Small Ball · Small Ice Ball · Small Ball Colourful · Sprinkler · Water Jet · Platform Floats · Small Ball Pumpkin

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Facts

* The Asian water monitor can hold its breath for up to 30 minutes.
* The Asian water monitor is one of the heaviest species of lizards, second only to the Komodo dragon.
* Asian water monitors can dislocate the hyoid bone in their neck, so they can swallow large chunks of food without chewing.
* The bite of the Asian water monitor is very strong and mildly venomous due to the presence of venom glands. While the bite is reportedly very painful, the venom is not lethal to humans.
* Asian water monitors are known to dig up graves in search of food.

## Gallery

First look at the Asian Water Monitor from the Tropical Pack Announcement Video