Reptiles Realm

Exploring the Different Types of Salamanders

What is a salamander? There are a whopping 500 species of amphibians that can be classified as salamanders. Salamanders are similar in shape and size to lizards - with a slender body and long tail. What differentiates them from the typical lizard? Salamanders won't always have four limbs, and can often be seen slithering along without them. They are also commonly brightly colored, although underground species may simply be white or pink in color...  read more »

How does your lizard prefer to be treated?

We discuss the grooming of monitor lizards. We talk about furnishings, petting, hygiene, susceptibility to parasites, as well as your lizard's growth, movement, and eating habits...  read more »

Building a home for your lizard

Building a home for your lizard - we discuss choosing a substrate, the importance of sand for desert species, how to furnish your reptile's home, how to add climbing structures, and the importance of dark shelters for monitor lizards...  read more »

Most lizards like to stay outdoors

Makes sense doesn't it? After all, in their natural habitat lizards are outside. If the climate allows, all monitor lizard species, especially the larger ones, should be housed in an outside cage. Fresh air, humidity, sunshine, and enough space to roam freely are all aspects of an ideal outside environment for your lizard...  read more »

Reptile Breeding and Rearing

So you're interested in breeding reptiles? Reptile breeding is an endeavor that requires an intimate knowledge of the species, their history, and their biology...  read more »

How do monitor lizards defend themselves?

Monitors are well adapted to their environment and well camouflaged, which helps them avoid potential predators. Snakes are considered to be the monitor lizard’s most feared predator. Young monitor lizards are able to rely on color and behavior for defense - they are more spread out than adults, and they are able to take cover more quickly and effectively...

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How well do monitor lizards see?

Monitor lizards have sharp and sensitive eyesight. They can see objects from far away and use this advantage to identify pray and keep their distance from predators. Their eyesight, similar to certain types of dinosaur (Tyrannosaurus) is based on movement. Their visual field spans 240 degrees...  read more »

How well do monitor lizards retain water?

While monitor lizards can generally retain water fairly well, their overall ability to retain water depends on their environment. Shifts in temperature, as well as climate, will also affect a lizard's ability to retain water. Monitors that live near areas of water and don't find the need to retain water as often, have more difficulty retaining water in dryer environments...  read more »

Varanus Salvator - a big lizard!

The water monitor is also known by its Latin root,

Varanus Salvator

. As one of the largest lizards in the world, it can grow to a length of nine feet and reach a weight of one hundred pounds! It is outsized by only two other lizards, the Komodo dragon and the crocodile monitor. The Komodo can gain more weight than the water monitor, while the crocodile can grow longer - up to twelve feet!...  read more »