Photos by Trevor Sharot, copyright.
Problem
How do you get up close to a monitor lizard? How dangerous is it?
Answers
I was sitting across the table from William in Singapore and I told him about the monitor Lizard which Trevor Sharot saw in Singapore.
Monitor Lizards In the Botanic Gardens
My new friend, William, was phlegmatic, unconcerned. He said:
"I saw monitor lizards in the Botanic Gardens."
"In a cage?"
" No, just lying around enjoying the sun."
"Aren't they dangerous?"
"Not if you keep your distance. But you wouldn't want to get too close."
"But Trevor saw one the other side of a wall with tennis netting. The lizard was growling and striking its tail."
"Maybe it was protecting its eggs."
"How many did you see in the Botanic Gardens? Two?"
"About ten."
"Ten! I'd have left if I saw even one. I won't be going to the Botanic Gardens again."
Trevor Sharot's Video of Monitor Lizard
I asked Trevor Sharot to send me a still from his video. In the video you can see the lizard thrashing its tail against the wall.
Monitor Lizard's Tongue
Then it puts out its tongue. It wasn't until we freeze-framed the video to select a suitable still (showing the head not obscured by the wall or netting) that we realised how long the tongue is. It looks like a flexible pencil or piece of bamboo. The tongue strikes so fast! It's out and visible in one frame but gone in the next.
If you want to see a monitor lizard, go to a zoo, or Singapore's Botanic Gardens.
Useful Websites:
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/singapore-botanic-gardens
http://www.visitsingapore.com/en/
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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