Bengal monitor: Difference between revisions
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Although not uncommon, Monitor lizards are killed for their meat and skins and are threatened in many places by hunting. |
Although not uncommon, Monitor lizards are killed for their meat and skins and are threatened in many places by hunting. |
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The lizard is known as ''Guishaap'' or ''Goshaap'' in [[West Bengal]] and Bangladesh, and as ''ghorpad'' in [[Maharashtra]] . The lizards have strong claws and in some parts of India this has led to the myth that they can cling strongly to surfaces. A persistent myth that has little support from zoology or history is that [[Shivaji]]'s general [[Tanaji Malusare]] used a monitor with ropes attached for climbing the walls of the [[Sinhagad]] fort in the [[Battle of Sinhagad]]. |
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==Identification== |
==Identification== |
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The male Lepidosauria Varanus is relatively large, and can grow up to 100cm. The females, on the other hand, do not grow this large. It has also been found that females have a much shorter tail and lack pre-anal flaps which can be found in males as patches of scales. These creatures can be black, brown or grey and it has been found that the amount of rainfall is what changes their colour (Lepidosauria Varanus found in dryer areas are lighter). When they first hatch, they appear orange or brown with yellow and black rings around the body and tail. They also have claws which people believe is used to cling onto surfaces such as trees. |
The male Lepidosauria Varanus is relatively large, and can grow up to 100cm. The females, on the other hand, do not grow this large. It has also been found that females have a much shorter tail and lack pre-anal flaps which can be found in males as patches of scales. These creatures can be black, brown or grey and it has been found that the amount of rainfall is what changes their colour (Lepidosauria Varanus found in dryer areas are lighter). When they first hatch, they appear orange or brown with yellow and black rings around the body and tail. They also have claws which people believe is used to cling onto surfaces such as trees. |
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==Reproduction and the |
==Reproduction and the Young== |
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In order to reproduce the male must completely immobilise the female. The female struggles as much as possible to try and get free. This some what strange way of reproduction ensures that only the healthiest, largest and strongest lizards pass on their genes. Reproduction is mostly done during the wet season but some of these animals found in Sri Lanka reproduce during December or January and in Thailand it occurs throughout the year. Eggs are usually laid in burrows, dead logs or even in termite mound, to give the offspring a greater chance of survival. Most young die before hatching or shortly after due to malnourishment, which may have lead to a larger number of offspring (around 30). Once born, these animals feed only on insects and are normally found in trees. The brothers and sisters are likely to stay in a group together for the first few months of life. |
In order to reproduce the male must completely immobilise the female. The female struggles as much as possible to try and get free. This some what strange way of reproduction ensures that only the healthiest, largest and strongest lizards pass on their genes. Reproduction is mostly done during the wet season but some of these animals found in Sri Lanka reproduce during December or January and in Thailand it occurs throughout the year. Eggs are usually laid in burrows, dead logs or even in termite mound, to give the offspring a greater chance of survival. Most young die before hatching or shortly after due to malnourishment, which may have lead to a larger number of offspring (around 30). Once born, these animals feed only on insects and are normally found in trees. The brothers and sisters are likely to stay in a group together for the first few months of life. |
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Males will fight each other in a bipedal fashion for females. After mating the female lays up to 30 eggs in a hollow dug in the ground and the eggs hatch in about five months. The young often remain together in loose groups and often live on trees and live on an insectivorous diet. |
Males will fight each other in a bipedal fashion for females. After mating the female lays up to 30 eggs in a hollow dug in the ground and the eggs hatch in about five months. The young often remain together in loose groups and often live on trees and live on an insectivorous diet. |
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==Historical anecdote== |
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{{OR-sect}} |
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{{references}} |
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[[Shivaji]]'s general [[Tanaji Malusare]] used Shivaji’s famous pet [[monitor lizard]] which is locally known as ''ghorpad'' named "Yeshwanti" with a rope tied around its waist for climbing up the walls of the [[Sinhagad]] fort from it’s steepest and the least guarded side in the dead of a moonless night during the [[Battle of Sinhagad]]. Once he had scaled up himself after the giant lizard, up the sheer steep cliff unnoticed, he threw down rope ladders for others to climb. {{cn}}This Common Indian Monitor ''(Varanus bengalensis)'' found locally in present day [[Maharashtra]] is the species of Monitor Lizard said to have been used which is also known as ''ghorpad'' in [[Marathi]]. {{cn}} |
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Ghorpads are famous for their ability to cling to smooth surfaces, and were traditionally trained for this purpose by herders in the area. {{cn}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* Auffenberg, W. 1983 Courtship behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. In Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary Biology: Essays in Honor of Ernest E. Williams (Rhodin & Myata eds.): 535-551. |
* Auffenberg, W. 1983 Courtship behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. In Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary Biology: Essays in Honor of Ernest E. Williams (Rhodin & Myata eds.): 535-551. |
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* Auffenberg, W. 1983 Notes on feeding behaviour of Varanus bengalensis. J. Bombay N.H.S. 80 (2): 286-302. |
* Auffenberg, W. 1983 Notes on feeding behaviour of Varanus bengalensis. J. Bombay N.H.S. 80 (2): 286-302. |
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* Auffenberg, W. 1986. The Indian monitor lizard. Sanctuary Asia. 6 (4):327-333. |
* Auffenberg, W. 1986. The Indian monitor lizard. Sanctuary Asia. 6 (4):327-333. |
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* [http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:91V79RpwWkoJ:www.auromusic.org/online%2520books/An%2520_approach_to_indian_history-Kittu/10.htm+Ghorpad+Tanaji&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5 Tanaji Malusare used Shivaji's famous pet ghorpad named "Yeshwanti" with a rope tied around its waist for climbing the walls of the Sinhagad fort from it's steepest and least guarded side in the dead of a moonless night during the Battle of Sinhagad] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 01:51, 4 February 2007
| Bengal Monitor | |
|---|---|
| |
| Bengal Monitor Lizard | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | V. bengalensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus bengalensis (Daudin, 1802)
| |
Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis), also known as the Common Indian Monitor, is a monitor lizard found throughout Bangladesh and India. It measures up to 75 cm in body length with the tail about 100 cm in length. It feeds on small terrestrial vertebrates, ground birds and their eggs, arthropods and fish.
Although not uncommon, Monitor lizards are killed for their meat and skins and are threatened in many places by hunting.
The lizard is known as Guishaap or Goshaap in West Bengal and Bangladesh, and as ghorpad in Maharashtra . The lizards have strong claws and in some parts of India this has led to the myth that they can cling strongly to surfaces. A persistent myth that has little support from zoology or history is that Shivaji's general Tanaji Malusare used a monitor with ropes attached for climbing the walls of the Sinhagad fort in the Battle of Sinhagad.
Identification
Key to South Asian Varanus species from Boulenger, Fauna of British India.
A. Nostril an oblique slit, nearer to orbit than to end of snout; tail round or slightly compressed posteriorly - V. griseus
B. Nostril an oblique slit, tail compressed, keeled above.
- a. Nostril a little nearer to end of snout than to orbit - V. flavescens
- b. Nostril nearer to orbit than to end of snout
- a' Ventral scales smooth; supraoculars equal; nostril much nearer to orbit than to end of snout - V. bengalensis
- b' Ventral scales smooth; median supraoculars slightly enlarged transversely; nostril only a little nearer to orbit than to end of snout - V. nebulosus
C. Nostril roundish or oval, nearer to end of snout than to orbit; tail compressed, keeled above - V. salvator
The Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis can be distinguished from the Clouded monitor Varanus bengalensis nebulosus by larger scales above the eyes and fewer scales around the body (Mertens 1942).
There is considerable variation in colouration with adults being black, grey or brown with lighter patterns on the back. Hatchlings are brighter with dull orange and bold black and yellow bands on the body and tail.
The male Lepidosauria Varanus is relatively large, and can grow up to 100cm. The females, on the other hand, do not grow this large. It has also been found that females have a much shorter tail and lack pre-anal flaps which can be found in males as patches of scales. These creatures can be black, brown or grey and it has been found that the amount of rainfall is what changes their colour (Lepidosauria Varanus found in dryer areas are lighter). When they first hatch, they appear orange or brown with yellow and black rings around the body and tail. They also have claws which people believe is used to cling onto surfaces such as trees.
Reproduction and the Young
In order to reproduce the male must completely immobilise the female. The female struggles as much as possible to try and get free. This some what strange way of reproduction ensures that only the healthiest, largest and strongest lizards pass on their genes. Reproduction is mostly done during the wet season but some of these animals found in Sri Lanka reproduce during December or January and in Thailand it occurs throughout the year. Eggs are usually laid in burrows, dead logs or even in termite mound, to give the offspring a greater chance of survival. Most young die before hatching or shortly after due to malnourishment, which may have lead to a larger number of offspring (around 30). Once born, these animals feed only on insects and are normally found in trees. The brothers and sisters are likely to stay in a group together for the first few months of life.
Food
Although these creatures are relatively large in size, especially for a lizard, they mostly feed on insects such as ants, snails and beetles by use of its long tongue. There is little nourishment in one of any vertebrate of this size and therefore the "Bengal Monitor" must eat vast quantities of them. This lizard can also be found to feed on much larger prey as well. It is known that they eat animals such as ground birds, fish, frogs, snakes, other lizards and even small mammals. They can be found foraging for food under cow pats or even in human litter.
Distribution
Although called the Bengal Monitor, this species is among the most widely distributed of varanus lizards. It is found in river valleys in eastern Iran, Afghanistan, western Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Burma. A subspecies Varanus bengalensis nebulosus called the Clouded Monitor occurs in southern Burma, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and the Sunda Islands.
Behaviour
Bengal Monitors are usually solitary and usually found on the ground although the young are often seen on trees. V. b. nebulosus has a greater propensity for tree climbing.
Large adults may ascend vertical tree trunks and sometimes stalk and capture roosting bats. Their normal prey consists of beetles, grubs, orthopterans, scorpions, snails, ants and other invertebrates. Vertebrate prey is comparatively rare and includes frogs, fish, lizards, snakes and rodents. Bengal monitors shelter in burrows or crevices in rocks and buildings, whilst clouded monitors prefer tree hollows. Both races will make use of abandoned termite mounds.
Males will fight each other in a bipedal fashion for females. After mating the female lays up to 30 eggs in a hollow dug in the ground and the eggs hatch in about five months. The young often remain together in loose groups and often live on trees and live on an insectivorous diet.
References
- Boulenger, G.A. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Amphibia. Taylor & Francis.
- Auffenberg, W. 1979 Intersexual differences in behaviour of captive Varanus bengalensis. J.Herpet. 13(3):313-315.
- Auffenberg, W. 1979 Research on monitor lizards. Tiger Paper 6(4):20-21.
- Auffenberg, W. 1981 Combat behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. J.Bombay N.H.S. 78(1):54-72.
- Auffenberg, W. 1983 The burrows of Varanus bengalensis. Rec. Zool. Surv. India 80:375-385.
- Auffenberg, W. 1983 Courtship behaviour in Varanus bengalensis. In Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary Biology: Essays in Honor of Ernest E. Williams (Rhodin & Myata eds.): 535-551.
- Auffenberg, W. 1983 Notes on feeding behaviour of Varanus bengalensis. J. Bombay N.H.S. 80 (2): 286-302.
- Auffenberg, W. 1986. The Indian monitor lizard. Sanctuary Asia. 6 (4):327-333.