Bengal Monitor

Least Concern IUCN Redlist

The
Bengal
Monitor
(Varanus
bengalensis), also referred to as the
Common Indian Monitor, or the
Clouded Monitor; is a reasonably sized
varanid lizard. Its skin is a grey to
greenish colour, while being covered
in many small spots, which form bands across its underside. The
colours, and pattern is more evident in younger animals, as
opposed to the older ones, where the pattern is more subtle. They
also have long fingers/toes, with long claws. In the wild, the males weigh 42%
more than the females of the species.
The geographic range of this lizard, is rather large, compared to other, similar lizards, being
widespread in India, hence it being known as the Common Indian Monitor, and in fact all throughout
southern Asia. Also, unlike other, similar lizards, the Bengal Monitor, can cope with a wide variety
of environments. Including anywhere from deserts, to forests, to areas with seasonal snowy
winters. In addition to this, they are not reliant on the amount of rainfall, so they remain relatively
unaffected by droughts and such. Although they may be able to, and quite happy to live in a range
of different habitats, they like to live in areas with an average yearly temperature, of about 24C.
The Bengal Monitor, is almost 100% carnivorous. Despite its relatively large
size, it feeds a lot on insects, and, when it is young, feeds on beetles.
However, in addition to this, smaller reptiles, and anything else it can
feasibly eat, it will. Cannibalism has been noted of these monitors, but
preying not on adults.
There are a number of small, insignificant causes for a loss in the number of these lizards, such
as habitat destruction, and shortage of food due to pesticides. However, due to the fact that the
Bengal Monitor can live in such a variety of places, habitat destruction is not considered a major
contributor to the decrease in numbers. Instead, humans have been pinpointed as the main cause,
for reasons such as hunting, and simply killing. The Bengal Monitor is hunted for its skin, meat and
fat. The skin is valuable commercially, and the meat is eaten. The fat of the animals, is used in
traditional medicines. In Iran however, the monitors are not killed for their resources. Instead, the
people consider them dangerous, and kill them unnecessarily.
So far in the conservation effort, not a lot has been done. In some areas, the animals are
inhabitants of protected areas, but thats about all. In order to stop hunting, and prevent
unnecessary food loss, something needs to be done. That something, is the creation of more
protected areas for these animals, and relocation of those living in locations unable to be converted
into protected areas. Within these protected sites, tight restrictions, need to be put in place over
hunting. Although it may seem as though there isnt anything to worry about because the animal
isnt even endangered, it is necessary to take action now, because if not, then the conservation
status of the species will elevate, because hunting will not stop itself. Obviously, the creation of
new protected areas, and relocation of animals into these, will incur a significant cost. In order to
raise the necessary funds to proceed with the aforementioned conservation efforts, it is a
necessary step to start a campaign with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to collect donations, and
advertise the need for action to save these creatures. Social media gateways such as Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram need to be utilised to raise awareness of the plight of these animals, and
link to the WWF campaign, to show people that they CAN help.

Bibliography
Animal Diversity Web n.d., ADW: Varanus Bengalensis: INFORMATION, Animal Diversity Web,
accessed 8 September 2015, <http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Varanus_bengalensis>
Earth's Endangered n.d., Bengal Monitor Facts, Bengal Monitor Pictures, Earth's Endangered,
accessed 8 September 2015, <http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?gr=R&sp=269>
Encyclopedia Of Life n.d., Descriptions and articles about the Bengal Monitor (Varanus
Bengalensis) - Encyclopedia Of Life, Encyclopedia Of Life, accessed 8 September 2015,
<http://eol.org/pages/790199/details>
IUCN Redlist n.d., Varanus Bengalensis (Bengal Monitor Lizard, Clouded Monitor, Common
Indian Monitor), IUCN, accessed 8 September 2015,
<http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/164579/0>
World Wildlife Fund n.d., WWF - Endangered Species Conservation| World Wildlife Fund, World
Wildlife Fund, accessed 8 September 2015, <worldwildlife.org>