Varanus (Soterosaurus)
''Soterosaurus'' is a subgenus of monitor lizards commonly known as Southeast Asian water monitors. Most species are endemic to the Philippines, but Roughneck monitor, black rough-necked monitors, Asian water monitor, Asian water monitors, and Togian water monitor, Togian water monitors can be found elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Classification The Roughneck monitor, black rough-necked monitor (''V. rudicollis'') was previously in the closely related subgenus ''Empagusia'', but genomic analyses show it is actually the Basal (phylogenetics), basalmost member of ''Soterosaurus'', having split from the ''V. salvator'' species complex (which is composed of all the other Southeast Asian water monitor species) 14 million years ago during the middle Miocene. Behaviour These large Semiaquatic, semi-aquatic lizards have laterally flattened tails, making them excellent swimmers. While all are terrestrial, some species, especially the Roughneck monitor, black rough-necked monitor, may al ...
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Asian Water Monitor
The Asian water monitor (''Varanus salvator'') is a large Varanidae, varanid lizard native to South Asia, South and Southeast Asia. It is widely considered to be the List of largest extant lizards, second-largest lizard species, after the Komodo dragon. It is distributed from eastern and northeastern India and Bangladesh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, through southern China and Hainan Island in the east to mainland Southeast Asia and the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Lombok, the Riau Archipelago, and Sulawesi. It is one of the most widespread monitor lizards. The Asian water monitor has a natural affinity towards water, inhabiting the surroundings of lakes, rivers, ponds, swamps and various Riparian zone, riparian habitats, including Sewerage, sewers, city parks, and urban waterways. It is an excellent swimmer and hunts fish, frogs, invertebrates, water birds, and other types of aquatic and amphibious prey. Due to its apparently large, stable population, it is ...
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