Preliminary study on the growth rate and movement of water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) at Sungai Tembeling Taman Negara

Abdul, Jasmi and Hamzah, Jamaluddin and Wan Abdullah, Wan Mohamad (1986) Preliminary study on the growth rate and movement of water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) at Sungai Tembeling Taman Negara. [Journal / Magazine]

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Abstract

Some people regard the monitor lizard as a pest and a scavenger. This is because they prey on chicks from farms and feed on carcasses of animals thrown into rivers or irrigation canals. However to some people the animal is an important source of income. The Indians trap the lizard not just for its meat but also the hide which is used for making shoes, belts and other leather products. The Chinese on the other hand believe in the medicinal properties of the meat. Due to the ease of this reptile to survive, it is found in most types of habitats, in the villages and also deep in the jungle as long as it can find a suitable place to live. It is important to study this animal in order to gather informatiqn on the role the animal plays in the ecosystem. Up till now not much study has been done on the water monitor lizard especially those in their natural habitat. It is better to study the animal in its natural state rather than in captivity because results obtained from study in the natural state is more realistic and more accurate than the one in captivity. The study on water monitor lizard was startad in February 1983. Four Taman Negara staff were chosen with a responsibility to catch, observe and collect any required data. A total of 34 lizards were trapped until 29.7.1983. Tables 1,2 and 3 show the number of monitor lizards trapped.

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