The Asian Water Monitor: The Predatory Dragon That Lives In The Swamps
The Asian water monitor ( Varanus salvator ) is a large reptile of the Varanidae family . An adult specimen can be over two meters long, making it the second largest member of its family, after the Komodo dragon.
These majestic reptiles have a wide distribution and, in fact, morphological variations can be found between the subspecies that inhabit the different regions. They are semi-aquatic reptiles that live in mangroves, swamps and wetlands, but can also be seen in areas where rice and palm oil are grown. Let’s find out what the Asian water monitor feeds on.
Asian water monitor: the second largest varanid lizard in the world
This monitor lizard is around 2.5 meters long and can weigh up to 60 kilograms in the wild. It is dark brown in color, with yellow and black spots that form transverse lines and tend to be less visible with age.
The body is muscular, as is the tail, which it uses to move through the water and intimidate enemies. In the wild, it has a life expectancy of around 15 years, although in captivity it can reach 29 years if its diet and conditions are adequate.
Unlike its congeners, the Komodo dragons, the Asian water monitor is not threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as they have adapted quite well to human environments.
A voracious carnivore
The Asian water monitor is a carnivorous reptile, which feeds on a wide variety of prey. These reptiles have the ability to eat almost anything that can fit into their stomach.
The usual prey are birds and their eggs, small mammals – such as rats and bats – fish, other reptiles – are also able to eat other monitor lizards – crustaceans, molluscs, insects and carrion. Thanks to their highly developed sense of smell, these hunters detect prey and chase them until they capture and devour them.
The Asian water monitor does not share food
These large lizards are solitary and territorial animals. When a specimen gets prey, it must aggressively protect it from other competitors.
When these bitter resource struggles occur, it is usually the little ones who are defeated. The largest and strongest specimens do not share food or leave any remains. Additionally, violent attacks can occur on intruders trying to steal a monitor lizard’s prey.
What does the Asian water monitor in captivity feed on?
In recent years, the breeding in captivity of this species has undergone a significant increase, which has allowed the arrival on the market of a series of unique specimens for both personality and appearance. These reptiles are generally smaller than those seen in the wild, but even so, breeding them can be a challenge and, to some extent, irresponsible.
During the first year of life
They are animals with a lot of appetite and they grow very quickly. It is advisable to feed them every day during their first year of life, when the greatest growth occurs.
A well-fed Asian water monitor may not want to eat for a few days, while a puppy who receives small, frequent feedings may have a constant appetite.
The diet of the young is mostly insectivorous: it is common to feed them crickets and cockroaches. In addition to a large, nutrient-rich diet, it is important to add a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement.
Food for one year old monitor lizards and older
As they grow, these animals eat larger prey, such as rodents, fish and small birds. One-year-old lizards can eat whole prey three to four times a week, while adults over the age of two can be fed less frequently, two or three times a week.
The Asian water monitor is opportunistic and rarely refuses to eat, which means it can be prone to obesity in captivity. This can lead to a number of health problems, which in the long run shorten your life expectancy.
After eating, these large reptiles often bask in the sun to digest food. For this reason, in captivity, heating lamps are usually used so that their habitat enjoys the appropriate temperature and light conditions.
Before buying an Asian water monitor or any type of reptile as a pet, there are a number of important factors to consider. For example, the fact that you will need a very large terrarium – especially if the animal is large – and that you will need to buy the right equipment to maintain the conditions of its natural habitat and its diet adequate.
It is very difficult, for all these reasons and many more, to keep an Asian water monitor lizard as a pet. If you care about having a reptile as a pet, know that there are a lot of much more affordable options on the market that don’t require high cost and care.
