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Crocodile Monitor:Varanus salvadorii
Animal Description
The crocodile monitor is perhaps one of the longest lizards on the planet. they can grow at a astonishing length up to 12 feet long, that's longer than the notorious komodo dragon. they have a long sleek body that is dull black with various white specks, with yellow bands horizontally crossing their four appendages. they are commonly distinguished by there forked tongue and are the only other reptile to share this trait with snakes. they have a overlapping polygonal shaped scales.there the only reptile that has teeth that can actually cross between each other to grip prey with vicious strength.
Habitat
The crocodile monitor lives in papa new guinea. its mainly arboreal surprisingly for their size, they live above the forest floor up top in the canopies. shorelines seem to fit these lizards because they like to live in little coastal areas near the beach. the crocodile monitors keep the pests such as rodents in a substanable population for the island.
Diet & Prey
The crocodile monitor is carnivorous eating anything that basically fits in their mouth like most monitors. in their natural habitat they eat small rodents, bird eggs, and carrion.in captivity they feed on a scheduled diet including chicken breast, boiled eggs, and rats or mice. the crocodile monitor is also thought to be cannibalistic like most other reptiles. they are probably ambush predators that wait for their prey to come to them instead of chasing their prey or stalk.
Behaviour
Crocodile monitors don't really have a problem with each other but would rather just go their separate ways.only in breeding season do males get very aggressive with each other and fight for the right to breed.they will be commonly seen on the same branch or tree together.they are docile but don't let that fool you because there still wild animals they can deliver a vicious bite and a skin cutting whip with there tail, they also have thick claws that can easily tear flesh.
Breeding
The crocodile monitor reproduces by laying eggs.females move to many different spots to lay there eggs perferibly in moss,sand,under logs, or leaf litter. females guard there eggs fiercely and keep them at a toasty 84 degrees Fahrenheit. the hatchlings gain weight in the first 5 months and are about 16 inches when there first born. the baby's eat tiny insects or small lizards and even baby birds and snakes.
Conservation & environmental status
Unfortunately there is no programs or conservation efforts for this extraordinary animal, but that dopiest mean its to late to get there population a little attention. they are marked on the appendix II of CITES. since they have the second largest island to call home there at no threat right now but there are existing problems with poachers as their skin is used to make kundu drums. they are popular pets for exotic reptile collectors. many people think of this animals as man eaters but will not hurt or eat man, unless man hurts or eat them. zoo cant get enough of them and keep them in good enclosures and are kept in condition and made sure that all health problems are treated or diagnosed.