[2] It is known as the "black dragon" or "black water monitor" (มังกรดำ, เหี้ยดำ) in Thai[12], The water monitor is a large species of monitor lizard. the convergence is “homoplasic”). As mentioned, bites from small species often seem to cause more pain and bleeding than would be expected, and this is indeed an interesting piece of evidence. I was intending to follow last week’s discussion of the dental glands of toxicoferan lizards with a discussion of the oral glands, in particular the venom glands, of snakes. This species does not thrive in habitats with extensive loss of natural vegetation and aquatic resources. [13][15] However, 80 males killed for the leather trade in Sumatra averaged only 3.42 kg (7.5 lb) and 56.6 cm (22.3 in) snout-to-vent and 142 cm (56 in) in total length; 42 females averaged only 3.52 kg (7.8 lb) and 59 cm (23 in) snout-to-vent and 149.6 cm (58.9 in) in total length,[13] although unskinned outsized specimens weighed 16 to 20 kg (35 to 44 lb). Some scientists believe the biggest danger from a bite is the bacteria that are transmitted from the creature’s mouth, while others believe the lizard has venom glands in its mouth. While the monitor uses its venom to kill its small preys (symptoms include rapid swelling, drop in blood pressure, and blood clot inhibition), it has a relatively mild effect on humans. Monitors are carnivores, eating rodents, snakes, fish, birds, and other small creatures. Huge numbers of bites have been anecdotally documented amongst field researchers and zookeepers or hobbyists keeping these lizards in captivity. Man Shares Home With 400 Snakes, Lizards. He will come and eat Carrion with the Dogs and Jackals, and will not be scared away by them, but if they come near to bark or snap at him, with his tail, which is long like a whip, he will so slash them, that they will run away and howl.”[25], 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. A more promising line of investigation is, or would seem to be, activity. The trouble is that doing the kind of interdisciplinary research that would combine investigations of goanna ecology and prey-handling behaviour with the molecular perspective is hard to do and even harder to get funding to do. +27 (0) 21 671 7729 (Reservations)+44 (0) 1932 260618 (United Kingdom)+27 (0) 724 903 287 (After Hours/Emergency)info@hideawaysafrica.com, Copyright © Hideaways | created by one2love Agency, Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls & Zambezi River, Discover The Magic Of Matobo National Park. Thanks for reading everyone – check in next week for the promised (and delayed) discussion of snake venom glands! This means the glands are “homologous”, as opposed to “analogous”, the latter being a term we might apply to similar structures that converged on that similarity from disparate origins. The question is not irrelevant or hopeless, however, and we should hope to see a lot more integrated research aimed at solving it in future. In such hidey holes, they are safe from many predators, but not from snakes, particularly pythons, which may follow their scent and attack them as they sleep. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. [1], Varanus cumingi, Varanus marmoratus, and Varanus nuchalis were classified as subspecies until 2007, when they were elevated to full species. [2][11], The black water monitor from Thailand (type locality: Amphoe La-ngu, Satun Prov., Thailand, and Thai-Malaysian border area) was formerly the subspecies V. s. komaini, but now is regarded as a junior synonym and melanistic population of V. s. This is a complicated subject that we’ll delve into in future posts, but for now suffice it to say just because a new gene we have sequenced appears to be closely related to the sequences of known toxins, this is not, in isolation, evidence that the new sequence itself encodes a toxin. 7 of the World’s Most Dangerous Lizards and Turtles. The protein-secreting regions are confined to the lower half of the gland and contain “lumens” in which protein-rich secretions can be stored, ready to be deployed. The consequences of some of these bites are severe – large varanids have fearsome teeth, which are even serrated in some species. Before his death, Daniel and I had been discussing the need for nuanced writing about whether or not monitor lizards were venomous, and this post is just the beginning of my efforts to do justice to the plans we had. Anyway, so much for what was intended! Another study from the same area by the same authors similarly estimated mean body mass for mature specimens at 20 kg (44 lb)[16] while yet another study found a series of adults to weigh 7.6 kg (17 lb). – but it follows logically from last week’s discussion of dental gland anatomy. Nile Monitor Reproduction Another way of thinking about this is considering dental glands “exapted” for the evolution of venom systems. Some may even consider these pets to be cute or intriguing, but the fact is that monitor lizards are not that easily domesticated, and they can be dangerous when forced to live in a human environment. Many substances in nature (and under your kitchen sink) are toxic, but “venom” is a functional trait…..you know the rest (you can click here if you don’t). No one seriously doubts that the gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) and beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) are “venomous”. Well, again not quite – toxins are typically “recruited” from gene families that are widely expressed in many tissue types and across many species. They also adopt different foraging strategies, although ambush-hunting is common among species that feed on other vertebrates, and many species scavenge frequently. One reason is that the lizards lurk around cemeteries and may be accompanied by spirits. This post is dedicated to the memory of my long-time friend and mentor Daniel Bennett. Monitor lizards have different sizes, and the biggest or giant size monitor lizard species is the Komodo Dragon. Photo: Matt Summerville. [8], The family Varanidae contains nearly 80 species of monitor lizards, all of which belong to the genus Varanus. Presumably, if we test that substance in the lab and demonstrate that it possesses activities consistent with those of a “venom” (i.e. However, they grow much larger throughout life, with males being larger than females. The origin of this offensive meaning can be traced back to a time when more people lived in rural areas in close proximity to monitor lizards. Many Thai people see monitor lizards as dirty and disgusting, though there are diverse reasons why. [1], Loss of habitat and hunting has exterminated water monitors from most of mainland India. The beautiful Gray's monitor lizard (Varanus olivaceus) is one of the few varanids known to feed on fruit. Not only is this a potentially exciting and click baity topic – who doesn’t love stirring up a hornet’s nest (not literally, even “murder hornets” have a right to peace and quiet)? The biggest may be five or six feet long, speckled black and white. While on the one hand their presence can be helpful in locating a missing person in forensic investigations, on the other hand they can inflict further injuries to the corpse, complicating ascertainment of the cause of death. Exaptation is going to be a recurrent theme throughout the next few articles, so be sure to read the previous instalments if you need a refresher.
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