SALVADORI´S MONITOR

CHARACTERISTICS: There Is no external sexual dimorphism. The most characteristic feature is its blunt bulbous snout. It is dark green, with yellow rings. The tail is banded in yellow and black. It has straight long teeth and curved claws.
DIET: It feeds on birds, eggs, small animals and carrion. There are reports from the natives that it can hunt pigs, deer and dogs.
REPRODUCTION: The clutch, consisting of four to twelve eggs, are deposited around October to January. The dimensions of the egg may vary from 7.5x3.4 cm to 10x4.5 cm, while the weight may vary from 43,3 to 60,8 grams. The young measure 45 cm long and weigh around 56 grams. The young are more colourful than the adults and they feed mainly on insects and small reptiles.
CURIOSITIES: They are pursued and skinned alive by tribe-members to make drums, and they describe this animal as an evil spirit that “climbs the trees, walks upright, breathes fire and kills man”, however, it gives out signals if there are crocodiles near. It can hang from branches on its back legs and tail, which has a prehensile grip. The main use of the tail, however, is to counterbalance its weight when it jumps from one branch to another. The tail can also be used for defence.