Giant Water Monitor Lizards: Singapore Nature 2020

Filmed these giant monitor lizards at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Singapore early 2020. There does not seem to be as many huge lizards there now as compared to 2010, when i arrived in Singapore. Nevertheless, some can still be found there.
Family : VARANIDAE
Species : Varanus salvator
Size (snout to vent) : up to one metre
Size (total length) : up to 3 metres
This common species occurs throughout Southeast Asia in virtually all habitats including urban areas where it may sometimes be seen feasting on roadkill. It is particularly common, however, in mangrove areas as it is a strong swimmer and it can flourish on a diet of crabs and other large invertebrates.
It can remain submerged underwater for a considerable time. It is also an agile climber, and a raider of bird's nests. The Malayan Water Monitor is distinguished from other monitors by the position of the nostrils, which lie near the tip of the snout.
The water monitor is a large species of monitor lizard. Breeding maturity is attained for males when they are a relatively modest 40 cm (16 in) long and weigh 1 kg (2.2 lb), and for females at 50 cm (20 in). However, they grow much larger throughout life, with males being larger than females. They are the world's second-heaviest lizard, after the Komodo dragon.
The Asian water monitor is widely distributed from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Chinese Guangxi and Hainan provinces, Malaysia, Singapore to the Sunda islands Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo and Sulawesi. It inhabits primarily lowland freshwater and brackish wetlands.
Asian water monitors are semiaquatic and opportunistic; they inhabit a variety of natural habitats though predominantly this species resides in primary forests and mangrove swamps. It has been noted that these monitors are not deterred from living in areas of human disturbance. In fact, they have been known to adapt and thrive in agricultural areas as well as cities with canal systems (such as in Sri Lanka, where they are not hunted or persecuted by humans). This species does not thrive in habitats with extensive loss of natural vegetation and aquatic resources. Habitats that are considered to be most important to this species are mangrove vegetation, swamps, wetlands, and altitudes below 1000 meters.
Water monitors defend themselves using their tails, claws, and jaws. They are excellent swimmers, using the raised fin on their tails to steer through water. They are carnivores, and consume a wide range of prey. They are known to eat fish, frogs, rodents, birds, crabs, and snakes.They have also been known to eat turtles, as well as young crocodiles and crocodile eggs.
When hunted by predators such as the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) 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.
Like the Komodo dragon, the water monitor will often eat carrion. They have a keen sense of smell and can smell a carcass from far away. They are known to feed on dead human bodies.
Water monitors should be handled with care since they have many sharp teeth and can give gashing bites that can sever tendons and veins, causing extensive bleeding.
The possibility of venom in the genus Varanus is widely debated. Previously, venom was thought to be unique to Serpentes (snakes) and Heloderma (venomous lizards). The aftereffects of a Varanus bite were thought to be due to oral bacteria alone, but recent studies have shown venom glands are likely to be present in the mouths of several, if not all, of the species.
Adult water monitors have few natural predators, and are only known to be preyed on by saltwater crocodiles.
Monitor lizards are traded globally and are the most common type of lizard to be exported from Southeast Asia, with 8.1 million exported between 1998 and 2007. The Asian water monitor is one of the most exploited varanids; its skin is used for fashion accessories such as shoes, belts and handbags which are shipped globally, with as many as 1.5 million skins traded annually. Other uses include a perceived remedy for skin ailments and eczema, novelty food in Indonesia, and a perceived aphrodisiac,and as pets.
#watermonitorlizard #giantmonitorlizard #singaporenature #singaporewildlife #monitorlizard #singaporereptiles #reptiles #lizards #sungeibuloh #sungeibulohwetlandreserve #singapore
Playlist:
Christian Loffler - Athlete
Videography:
Christian Bassett
Camera:
Sony 4K FDR-AX700 Camcorder
Editing:
Christian Bassett

[@KylesMonitors]

Man what a great video. Mild music, fantastic footage and no goober babbling about nonsense. I could watch this all day

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Thanks for the comment! Have a great day! : )

[@FamousAdventurer77]

This was so relaxing and amazing just watching those massive lizards do their thing. I'd love to see more giant lizard videos like this!

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Thanks for the comment!!!

[@copymylink]

Idky but monitor lizard in Singapore can grow huge compare to other countries. Sometimes crocs are afraid of them.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Both clouded and water monitor lizards can be huge here in Singapore; that's very true surprisingly. Thank you for the comment.

[@Reptilesaurs]

asian water monitor lizard/salvator can grow huge in other country too.. In indonesian there alot huge monitor lizard but not exposed

[@andrewrai5752]

A croc will never be afraid of a monitor. Maybe a baby croc but an adult is about 20 times the weight of a large monitor. Having said that I'm actually getting a water monitor for this christmas.

[@michellesgarden5695]

Asian water monitors are the second largest monitors in the world.....the Komodo dragon is the largest....then the Asian water monitor.....then I think the crocodile monitor might be next longest but the Australian Perentie possibly weighs more in many cases....then theres quite a few close in sizes

[@michellesgarden5695]

The Australian Perentie is certainly the most beautiful of all monitor species though

[@articcow6580]

2:00 That dude is eating a fish !! Awesome video ! Love theses creatures.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Thank you Ryan!!! Have a great day!

[@Bifrostkn]

Godzilla refreshing

[@ChristianBassettNature]

: )

[@Reptilesaurs]

Godzilla is more like Marine Iguana

[@guyiuculano9690]

Cool looking lizards the big ones look like a Komodo dragon with a small head! monitors are my favourite reptiles. I am from Australia and we have the greatest number of species in the world. In my general area we have three species.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

You have a large array of fascinating and unique mammals and reptiles over there!

[@stevenf927]

Beautiful photography. Stunning creatures.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Thanks Steven! They are fascinating!

[@Reptilesaurs]

Descendant of Megalania

[@hydrosphagus9672]

Ah, Sungei Buloh. You can theoretically see these monitors anywhere near water all over Singapore, but the Sungei Buloh reserve is practically the only place where you WILL see them consistently. Some other remote places in Singapore I know, such as Pulau Ubin, don't have monitors on display at moment's notice.

[@sacredstone1481]

Thanks for the comment!

[@tindlevibes4680]

We saw three recently at gardens by the bay, busy as it is. One really big one.

[@theoneh5249]

Living dinosaurs!! Amazing stuff and great quality 👌

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Thanks So Much! They really are!

[@theoneh5249]

@@ChristianBassettNature How did u manage to get so close... Or did you have to zoom in?

[@ChristianBassettNature]

@@theoneh5249 Us an optical zoom, but try and get close without disturbing them. Have a great day!

[@theoneh5249]

@@ChristianBassettNature Ah good stuff. You too man!

[@ricobuttonpusher7061]

Saw one yesterday in Singapore. Yes they’re that big

[@UserUser-ks3xt]

You could see it at Marsiling Park also about 5 to 6 of them dated 9/8/2022.

[@patriciagough3353]

OMG, imagine those coming at you.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

@@patriciagough3353 🙂

[@Brightday808]

It’s realy awesome to see these asian water monitors.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

They are fascinating creatures. I actually went to the reserve yesterday and they were still all around! Thanks for the comment.

[@positiveego5397]

They are not Asian, they were brought in from Africa thousands of years ago by the Aboriginals on their way to the unknown which happened to be present day Australia!

[@viviancheong511]

Wow amazing look I very love this animal

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Me too 😍

[@Ben-ij3td]

so cute!

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Cheers for the comment!

[@Egg01990]

My dad says he sees these in golf clubs in malasyia

[@Goldmaykr]

Amazing animals.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

They really are! Thanks for the comment.

[@hamkahanafi9238]

Amazing

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Thanks for the comment!

[@simpernchong]

Those damn mosquitos...haha

[@ChristianBassettNature]

: )

[@agednutz]

When and where is the best time to catch them roaming about?

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Sunny days late morning to early afternoon seems to work for me!

[@positiveego5397]

Also when humans aren't around, while rafting down the Tana River in Kenya, you might see several on the river banks, but they usually get spooked then run away with fear for safety. This normally occurs on sunny days.

[@sanjibdey991]

nice

[@isaachzm216]

Chilling

[@jondstewart]

Do these creatures attack and humans like Komodo dragons? I’m assuming they are quite harmless in comparison and eat mostly fish or small rodents

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Yes, I have never seen them be aggressive to humans. That said if they felt threatened or someone did something stupid, like all animals, they could be dangerous for sure!!

[@springgal265]

Our waters got alot of fish.

[@philnewlun7974]

Monitor will eat anything, road kill, monkeys, vegetables, if they can catch it they'll eat it. You can cook outside and they'll come running out of the jungle

[@springgal265]

@@philnewlun7974 if crocodile crawling all around,i wont like it.

[@hildabeelzebub4410]

@@philnewlun7974 Asian Water Monitor or Bengal Lizard or Tegu no dangerous because this is not a Komodo Dragons (Different type).

[@donisvanjava5694]

Woowww supeerrr

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Thank you for the comment!

[@donisvanjava5694]

@@ChristianBassettNature keep up videos again uncle, and show interesting and entertaining content. I like your videos...

[@ChristianBassettNature]

@@donisvanjava5694 Thanks a lot!

[@donisvanjava5694]

@@ChristianBassettNature develop other interesting content

[@springgal265]

Lizard eat too much.

[@aryadiputra6695]

Look like komodo🧐

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Pretty much! Just slightly smaller

[@aryadiputra6695]

Make it fat and put it in the zoo you have komodo, who knows?

[@ChristianBassettNature]

@@aryadiputra6695 : )

[@kamasutraking666]

Southeast Asia has HUGE ONES THE bengali indian ones are puny shrimps compared to these

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Interesting to know. Thanks for the comment.

[@kamasutraking666]

@@ChristianBassettNature I'm sure you knew that already since you love lizards...

[@ChristianBassettNature]

@@kamasutraking666 I knew SE Asia has huge ones but was unaware of the small nature of the species in India!!!

[@ganapati6672]

Who needs biting.

[@astonmartin4360]

One ate my cat yesterday.I have a machete ready for when it comes back.

[@ChristianBassettNature]

That's not good...poor cat.

[@johnconnors6412]

Are they dangerous

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Not really unless you threaten them… not in singapore anyway. At Buloh they are used to people too. It’s always worth remembering they are wild animals though and behave accordingly!!! I thanks for the comment!!

[@sparrenburger2804]

Has anyone noticed the amazing colour of the male?

[@ChristianBassettNature]

If I’m honest I’m not well aware of how the vary in colour between the sexes. I guess its part of how they attract mates?

[@sparrenburger2804]

@@ChristianBassettNature Look at the web. "Big male asien water Monitors" They dosn't vary by sex only by size. He is just a unique individual. 😅 Most of them are grey, olive and a bit yellow in Indonesia. But this bronze hue is just wow! Google it ! Edit: ok and the size it is too! Mainlands are bigger than island individuals - but he is really huge! 🦎💚 Edit: Oh thnx for the hart! 🙂

[@ChristianBassettNature]

@@sparrenburger2804all very interesting and thank for taking the time to share it. Have a great night!

[@dinariyadi3119]

Wow komodo dragon in singapore

[@patriciagough3353]

Itsy bitsy better get a moving...

[@kaijingarou2717]

Look like komodo dragon

[@FelixVANOT]

0:01 2:28

[@Goldmaykr]

I love how i was trying to eat the fish

[@ChristianBassettNature]

Was lucky to find it feeding. It thought he had just caught it but it did smell pretty bad!

[@advertentie3771]

Some president shit over there

[@nekeshaeast7647]

Those aren't water monitors, they're komodo dragons

[@ChristianBassettNature]

I know the look very similar, but they are Water Monitor Lizards. Singapore does not have any Komodo dragons; they are exclusive to the Komodo region of Indonesia. They are at the start of my Komodo diving video. Have a good day.

[@just9688]

They look nothing like comodo dragon. You probably never saw any. And already made and statement lol

[@BigFamilyVolcanoIndonesia]

Water Monitor not dangerous but Komodo Dragons dangerous, brutal animal, canibalism animal and attack human.

[@hydrosphagus9672]

It is indeed easy to mix up those two since they're THE biggest lizards in the world. Even I sometimes make that mistake when seeing them side by side in the zoo. What little I can say about their difference is that water monitor has a more pointed snout, while komodo dragon's snout is a bit broader. But like I said, sometimes it's hard to tell from a glance XD

[@theneef174]

Late comment, but komodo dragons are a TYPE of monitor lizard.