Panay Monitor Lizard

Adapted to climbing by large feet, long and curved claws, and keeled ventral scales creating additional adhesion (Gaulke 2004). Tooth blunt due to largely herbivorous diet. The young, which eat proportionally more carnivorous food, have more pointed teeth. The same ontogenetic change of dentition is existent in some other species of monitor lizards, including V. niloticus and V. grayi. (Gaulke et al 2007)

A large, almost completly dark lizard. Eyes reddish brown, tongue pinkish. Parietal region swollen. Distinctive. (Gaulke 2004) Snout-vent length (SVL) up to 70 cm, average SVL 54.2 cm, total length/SVL ratio 1.36-1.61, mass up to 8000 g (Gaulke 2010).

Feign death when captured (Gaulke, 2004).

V. mabitang is probably the most threatened monitor lizard (endangered in IUCN Red List). The population is declining due to habitat loss through deforestation and overhunting by locals. (IUCN 2010)

A large, dark monitor lizard in the rain forests of the Philippines. A fruit-eating tree dweller. Often called the Panay Monitor Lizard. Endangered. (Gaulke 2004)

Restricted to Panay Island, Philippines (Gaulke 2004).

Varanus mabitang is a large, dark lizard native to the Philippines. This fruit-eating tree dweller is often called the Panay Monitor Lizard. It is endangered because of deforestation.