Page 98 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators
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THE PLANET’S MOST





          FEROCIOUS LIZARDS






          These foul-tempered lizards have evolved deadly
          tactics to defend their territory and hunt down prey




          Venom was once believed to be a trait reserved for              enormous lizards, the biggest in existence at three
          snakes and two species of lizard. The two lizards in            metres (ten feet) in length, are known to attack prey
          question, the Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard,           including large cattle and even humans. With their
          are both members of the genus Heloderma and are                 immense slathering jaws, they will follow in pursuit of a
          found in hot and dry habitats, often underground.               victim, sneaking up to deliver a devastating bite. It was
             The Gila monster is the most venomous of the two,            once thought that the deadly nature of Komodos was
          often found basking under prickly pear cactuses in              the result of bacterial infection caused by their jaws,
          central America. These potent hunters pose little threat  which regularly chowed down on putrid meat. However
          to humans but can deliver a devastating bite to their           it has since been discovered that Komodos also deliver
          chosen victims. They have forked tongues, much like             a venom when they bite, and with a bite force five
          that of a snake, which they run over the Jacobson’s             times stronger than that of humans.
          organ in the top of their mouth. This delivers sensory            Another hyper-aggressive species of monitor lizard
          information, making them aware of any chemical trails           is the Crocodile monitor. Found on the island of
          in the air that imply prey or predators are nearby.             New Guinea, these black lizards can weight up to 90
          When attacking, the Gila monster produces a toxin that  kilograms (200 pounds) and, while not as heavy as
          is secreted by capillary action out of two of its teeth.        the Komodo, can grow to greater lengths. They are
          They then chew the venom into their prey, disrupting            commonly hunted for their meat and skin but owing
          blood clotting and causing tissue death. They are very          to their incredibly foul-tempered nature, they are
          smart predators, often following mammals to find                 dangerous to hunt.
          out where their burrows are. If these burrows prove               Water monitors have adapted to dominate aquatic
          to be empty, Gila monsters have been known to keep              environments, chasing prey through the water using
          returning to the same burrows until young appear.               their powerful tails to propel and turn at a rapid pace.
             Much like the Gila monster, the Mexican beaded               They commonly eat fish, frogs, rodents, birds and
          lizard is covered in small osteoderms, a type of bone           snakes, but are also capable of tackling larger prey
          covered in scale that works like a suit of armour. This         including turtles and even crocodiles. While effective
          armour comes in handy in the spring for the Mexican             hunters, water monitors won’t turn their nose up at
          beaded lizard as mating season commences. The                   carrion and have even been known to excavate shallow
          season brings about a performative spectacle for the            graves in search of a meal.
          male lizards as they compete in combat for a mate.                Even the common green iguana, native to South
          Despite having a venomous bite and sharp claws, the             America, is thought to possess atrophied venom
          males won’t scratch or bite but instead grapple in an           glands. While mostly herbivorous, green iguanas are
          attempt to establish dominance in a battle that can last  known to exhibit ferocious behaviours. They have
          for hours at a time.                                            sharp, serrated teeth that can cause devastating
             It is now known that venom exists within some                injuries, tearing through flesh with ease, and are
          lizards of the Varanus genus, also known as monitor             infamous for striking spontaneously causing minor but                    © Thinkstock
          lizards. One such species is the Komodo dragon. These           painful injuries to their owners or passers by.





              ASIAN WATER MONITOR                                     © Thinkstock
              Varanus salvator
              Lifespan 11-25 years
              Adult weight 20-25kg
              (44-55lbs)
              Conservation status


              LEAST CONCERN







                                                       Water monitors
                                                    are highly efficient
                                                       hunters and will
                                                   actively pursue their
                                                      prey in the water
                                                   using their powerful
                                                    tails for propulsion  © Metatron







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