# Common Water Monitor (*Varanus salvator*) The Common Water Monitor is a big lizard that loves to swim! It has a long tail and can be found near rivers and lakes. These lizards are great at catching fish and other tasty treats in the water. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Asian Water Monitor, Water Monitor ![Common Water Monitor](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Water_Monitor_%28about_1.5m_long%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rob and Stephanie Levy from Townsville, Australia, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_Monitor_%28about_1.5m_long%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Water Monitor is a large lizard with a long, powerful body, typically dark grey to black with yellow or cream spots. It has a long snout, strong limbs, and a muscular tail, distinguishing it from other terrestrial monitors by its more streamlined, aquatic build. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Varanidae - **Genus:** Varanus ## Interesting facts - Common Water Monitors are excellent at playing dead when they feel threatened! - Some have been observed to eat venomous snakes, showing incredible resilience! - Their blood circulation is super efficient, helping them stay active even in hot weather. - They are among the largest lizards in the world, often mistaken for small crocodiles. ## Special abilities - **Underwater Explorer:** Common Water Monitors can hold their breath for extended periods, which helps them hunt fish and other aquatic prey. - **Tail Weapon:** Common Water Monitors have a powerful, whip-like tail that helps them swim, balance, and defend against threats. - **Sniffing Super-Tongue:** Common Water Monitors use their forked tongue to 'smell' the air, helping them locate prey from a distance. - **Climbing Prowess:** Common Water Monitors have strong claws that help them climb trees to bask in the sun or escape from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 150-250 cm - **Weight:** 5-20 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 15-30 - **Incubation:** 120-180 days - **Maximum Depth:** 20 m ## Diet & Feeding These powerful predators eat almost anything they can catch, from fish to birds and even other reptiles! - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Frogs, Birds, Eggs, Rodents, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — A common prey item, especially in urban areas. - **Eaten by:** [Saltwater Crocodile](https://www.snappit.app/explore/saltwater-crocodile) (*Crocodylus porosus*) — Juvenile monitors are prey for larger crocodilians. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Keep a safe distance and watch these lizards from afar, as they can be quick and might bite if scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Water Monitor? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Water Monitor? 150-250 cm ### How much does Common Water Monitor weigh? 5-20 kg ### How long does Common Water Monitor live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Common Water Monitor move? 15 km/h ### What does Common Water Monitor eat? These powerful predators eat almost anything they can catch, from fish to birds and even other reptiles! ### How fast can Common Water Monitor swim? 10 km/h ### Where is Common Water Monitor usually found? Wetlands ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Common Water Monitor: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-water-monitor)