Head to head
Bengal Monitor vs Asian Water Monitor
Bengal Monitor
VS Asian Water Monitor
The Bengal monitor and Asian water monitor are two widespread monitor lizards of South and Southeast Asia that both tolerate life beside people.
| Bengal Monitor | Asian Water Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Varanus bengalensis | Varanus salvator |
| Size | Around a metre and a half long, with males larger than females | Commonly 1.5 to 2 metres, with large males to about 3 metres and over 20 kg, second in length only to the Komodo dragon |
| Diet | Insects, rodents, eggs, small reptiles and birds, and carrion | Fish, frogs, crabs, rodents, birds and eggs, snakes, turtles, carrion, and human food waste, and it digs up crocodile and turtle nests |
| Habitat | Forests, grassland, and farmland, often near villages | Wetlands, rivers, mangroves, forests, farmland, and cities |
| Senses and swimming | Tests the air with a long, forked tongue, picking up scents to find food | Flicks a deeply forked tongue and hunts largely by smell, and swims powerfully with its tail, staying submerged for about 30 minutes |
| Defence | Inflates its throat, hisses, and lashes its tail | Often flees into the water, where its nostrils set high on the snout let it breathe while swimming |
| Trade | Hunted for its skin and for use in traditional medicine, and protected under international trade rules | The most heavily traded monitor lizard, killed in large numbers for its skin and, locally, for meat |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though decreasing where it is hunted | Least Concern |
Bengal Monitor vs Asian Water Monitor: common questions
Which monitor is bigger?
The Asian water monitor, which grows to around 3 metres and is second in length only to the Komodo dragon.
Which one swims best?
The Asian water monitor, which swims powerfully with its tail and can stay submerged for about 30 minutes.
Why are both hunted?
Both are hunted for their skins, and the Bengal monitor is also hunted for use in traditional medicine.