I think it's the Commodo Dragons that have something in the saliva either bacteria or some toxin that causes festering wounds. Maybe Monitors do too. I'm just discovering the fascinating world of reptiles and love all those cool and interesting threads you guys put out. Great learning!I wonder how he got himself into that position. It certainly doesn't look very comfortable. What kinds of things does he eat? I don't know much about lizards, but isn't the monitor the one that has poison saliva?
This is very debatable. The speculation is that this grad student just wanted to make a name for himself and this found "venom" gland is really just a salivary gland like every other monitor species has, including the closely related water monitor...Only varanus komondines (komodo dragon) has a venom gland. Alsi their saliva is home to a hoist of deadly bacteria
Meet Guapo.
He's fourteenish years old and six feet long.
I did not know that it was debated but I did know other monitors have salivary glands. I will have to look deeper into itThis is very debatable. The speculation is that this grad student just wanted to make a name for himself and this found "venom" gland is really just a salivary gland like every other monitor species has, including the closely related water monitor...
Just yesterday I saw a 15 year old Nile Monitor for sale , said he was a 6 footer !Cool looking guy! I know nothing about lizards...how long is his life expectancy in captivity?
In the twenty year range.Cool looking guy! I know nothing about lizards...how long is his life expectancy in captivity?
Loving the picture of him lying down! He looks very uncomfortableMeet Guapo.
About eight years ago.
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This week.
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He's fourteenish years old and six feet long.