GET TO KNOW ABOUT ASIA AIR LIMON AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE IN CONSERVING THE ECOSYSTEM

Water monitor lizard, or its full name is Air Asia monitor lizard. Is a species of large lizard that has the scientific name Varanus salvator. English is the "Asian Water Monitor Lizard". Then, each region has a different name such as Nyambik (Javanese), Bayawak (Sundanese), and Berekai (Madura). And monitor lizards are still closely related to Komodo dragons, which are from the Varanidae family.

This animal has a body length of a maximum overall tail of approximately 1.5 meters and a weight of approximately 20 kg.

For its own physical characteristics, it has a long and flat tail, a black body with yellow spots on its entire body (sometimes depending on the location), and a long snout with a snake-like tongue.

As the name implies, these animal habitats are often found in areas not far from waters such as rivers, swamps, rice fields, gardens, waterways, and often enter human settlements to urban areas.

These animals include carnivorous animals, friends, and include diurnal animals (hunting during the day).

Its main food is Fish, Birds, small mammals, Small Reptiles and Carrion. In fact, this animal also eats poisonous snake species such as cobras.

The unique fact, besides having thick skin from poisonous snake bites, this animal also has sharp eyesight up to a range of 300 meters.

Meanwhile, the tongue has the same function as a snake's tongue, which is to detect and smell the aroma of its prey

How it works, the tongue will be stretched out to collect chemical compounds from the air or soil in the surrounding environment.

Then, the chemical compound will be analyzed by the receiving nerve in the vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ which is located on the palate of the monitor lizard.

For its own way of defense, besides biting, monitor lizards actually use their tails by wagging or slashing at their predators or enemies.

Bang, do water monitor lizards also have poison?

The answer is Yes, just like Komodo dragons, these animals also have venom. And poison itself is usually produced from special glands in the body.

Although the Water Monitor has a venom, it usually only affects small prey.

So, the effects of the poison venom are not as fatal or as deadly as Komodo dragons for humans. Usually the effect is only swelling, and I've been bitten by a lizard three times, after the wound was finished it was swollen.

Even so, if bitten by a lizard, it would be better to immediately treat it to prevent infection. Moreover, bitten by a Jumbo Lizard,

And finally, the existence of monitor lizards has a very important role in maintaining the balance of the natural ecosystem. Because its existence can control the population of pests, especially rats.

In addition, this animal is also a snake population controller by eating snake eggs, so like yesterday, there were many cases of finding cobras into the house, it was an impact that the population of water monitor lizards in nature actually decreased.

And, what happens when these animals become extinct? , what is happening is in addition to the increasing population of snake species that are not controlled, let alone venomous snakes. Of course we ourselves will be difficult ourselves.

Even though this animal is not a protected animal, it is possible that one day the water monitor lizard will also be included in a protected animal species. Considering the hunting of these animals is still very high with the aim of being consumed and considered pests for pond owners.

FYI, Air Asia monitor lizards can be found in countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.

Location:

Share :