Bengal Monitor

Bengal monitors are large terrestrial lizards distributed from southeastern Iran and Afghanistan across the Indian subcontinent to southern China and Southeast Asia. They tolerate environments ranging from dry scrub and grassland to deciduous forest and rainforest, occurring from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters. Adults are usually gray or greenish gray, with body markings becoming less strongly contrasted as they age. Males grow heavier than females. (Animal Diversity Web)

These solitary, daytime foragers continually flick their forked tongues to locate insects, vertebrates, eggs and carrion by scent. They climb well when young but become increasingly terrestrial as their bodies grow heavier. Females generally produce one large clutch each year and invest considerable energy in finding or constructing a secure nesting chamber. After the lengthy, temperature-dependent incubation period, hatchlings emerge independent and must immediately locate their own food and shelter. (Animal Diversity Web)