Monitor lizard - it almost got me!

[simon43]

After my post about the Rhinoceros Beetle, I had another encounter with wildlife in my garden - this time something a lot larger.

I don't see many monitor lizards in Phuket, perhaps one or two each year slowly crossing the roads nearby. I didn't expect to find one in my garden!

I walked down to my storage shed and opened the door. The noise disturbed some animal on the roof of the shed and, by the sound of the noise, it wasn't small and it was moving fast.

I immediately thought of a large rat snake, and peered out from the shed to the sight of a large monitor lizard literally falling off the roof onto the ground a few metres from me.

Having hit the ground 'running' the lizard made for the quickest exit route to the woodland nearby, which happened to be via the shed door where I was standing.

Those lizards can move fast. It came towards me at breakneck speed. My concern was not that it would attack me - more as to what it would do when finding it's path to freedom blocked by me.

So with an athletic leap, I jumped 1 metre into the air as the lizard shot under my legs and out to thew rubber tree plantation.

Beautiful lizard - pity they apparently taste so good.

Sorry no photos - no time to take a shot when jumping in the air...

[Jimi007]

Yep, I saw one in my front yard not too long ago. They really can move very quickly and are very large! They are "protected" in Thailand from what I have read. I have also heard from the locals that they taste "good."

[KarenBravo]

I've heard that if you don't get out of their way, they will run up you, mistaking you for a tree, and jump off the top of your head (if you don't fall down first).

[hansgruber]

I've heard that if you don't get out of their way, they will run up you, mistaking you for a tree, and jump off the top of your head (if you don't fall down first).

And claw the skin off your bones.

They have razors for claws.

[bubblegum]

See them 3 times a year and they always seem to be just taking a walk, never know they are fast.

[fester the benevolent]

I was sitting in my pickup in the carpark to the side of the DBD in town a couple of months back when a stonking great monitor lizard calmly strolled from the back of the building off into the thicket behind with all the self assurance of something that is just daring you to try and mess with its day.

I don't know exactly how big crocosaurus' nephew was as I was far too busy freaking out to get a picture or anything but it certainly wasn't something I expected to see in the normally sleepy environs of the DBD!

[Guest]

I haven't seen my neighbour Yellowhead the monitor lizard, nor it's baby for quite some time now. Nice lizards, which slowly learn not to be afraid too much. Sometimes taking naps high up on the tree branches.

I was quite surprised when I first time saw the lizards climb with speed to the trees.

[Evilbaz]

We have a couple of families totalling about 9 in the bush plot next door here in Kamala.

It is quite a sight to see them swimming across the lake in single file when it floods.

They often climb the 3 metre klong wall and sunbake on the patio.

Poppa would be at least 2 metres from snout to tail tip.

The girls call them crocodiles as apparently the Thai word is a deep insult.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Evilbaz

[Shazdeb]

Had one living in my yard and house for a while, wandered the yard, swam in the pool but when it took up residence in my bedroom under the bed he had to be moved out LOL a feat in it's self as they are very strong. Got help from thai people next door and after getting him from the bedroom he ran and dived in the pool to escape us. we took him into the street and let him go and he ran back in the yard. The thai people refused to give up and got him again and we released him in bush down the road. He still came back every now and then for a swim and to steal eggs from the kitchen but then stopped ... I kinda miss him

[maderaroja]

Be careful when harvesting coconuts. I have often encountered them while up a palm to get the nuts.

[umbanda]

What is this? Was on my garden last week....on a tree and over my hammock. I think its still there....

Edited November 30, 2014 by umbanda

[Phil Water]

What is this? Was on my garden last week....on a tree and over my hammock. I think its still there....

Lizard.jpg

Not sure how to spell but the GF calls it "Ghinka"

Edit to say: She say Arroy mak mak...

Edited November 30, 2014 by Phil Water

[Max in Udon]

Possibly a small iguana. I have a few in my garden. Very interesting to watch. Climb the trees in the morning to get the sun to raise their body temperature. I think they can change colour to suit their surroundings.

[anon022]

I know some people who change color or colour to suit their interests.

[masuk]

I've heard that if you don't get out of their way, they will run up you, mistaking you for a tree, and jump off the top of your head (if you don't fall down first).

Yup, part of Aussie folk law to keep the tourists on their toes! The Aussie aborigines eat these guys - they're supposed to be quite tasty.

[Gsxrnz]

Had a BIG mother of a lizard walk across the golf green last year. I was about 150 yards out and as I made the shot the caddies start jumping and yelling about the lizard, put me right off the shot and it went short and right. The lizard appeared to be about 1.2 metres long and was casually ambling across the green from one water hole to the next with no cares in the world.

It was huge. It was so big I thought it was a crock initially as there had recently been floods and some crocks had escaped.

And yes, the caddies made reference to the apparent tastiness of the wee beastie.

[poweratradio]

I've heard that if you don't get out of their way, they will run up you, mistaking you for a tree, and jump off the top of your head (if you don't fall down first).

Yup, part of Aussie folk law to keep the tourists on their toes! The Aussie aborigines eat these guys - they're supposed to be quite tasty.

No mention of the dangers of being nipped and having their saliva enter a wound which eventually will knock you down.

[phuketsub]

I have never heard of a monitor lizard intentionally attacking a human in Phuket.

As for their speed, they only seem to have two gears: slow and superfast.

[siampolee]

Silly tip maybe.

However if one of these creatures decides to pursue you and they can move at a fair clip in a straight line too all you need to do is turn sharp left or right.They cannot make quick left or right turns the same actions apply to both crocs and gators.

[Strangebrew]

I would be more worried if it were a Komodo Dragon they will eat you for sure.

[mrwebb8825]

Biggest 1 I ever saw was down in Prachup Kirikhan. My friend and I were going fishing on the jette across the bay from Amanou. We were walking in the water along the shore as it's smoother. He grabbed my arm pointing (he's Thai) and pulling me up short. I saw what looked like a stingray tail coming from under a 4meter high boulder. It suddenly vanished and up on top popped a monster. Must have been 3 meters long with a crab in it's mouth. It lept from the boulder to the hill behind it and crashed off through the trees like a rough elephant. We could see bushes and smaller trees moving for nearly 200 meters til it crested the hill.

[Gforcejunkypkt]

And they like using turtles as pillows too (taken at a pond in BKK)...

[masuk]

I've heard that if you don't get out of their way, they will run up you, mistaking you for a tree, and jump off the top of your head (if you don't fall down first).

Yup, part of Aussie folk law to keep the tourists on their toes! The Aussie aborigines eat these guys - they're supposed to be quite tasty.

No mention of the dangers of being nipped and having their saliva enter a wound which eventually will knock you down.

I'd not heard of that one, but their cousins on Komodo Island in Indonesia certainly pack a fatal bite.

[fester the benevolent]

And they like using turtles as pillows too (taken at a pond in BKK)...

Monitor Lizard using Turtle for Pillow.jpg

haha, that's classic!

Turtle 1: OK, now's our chance! Go for it!

Turtle 2: But we can't leave Rocky behind!

Turtle 3: He's toast man, we've got to save ourselves. Swim I tell ya!

Rocky: *squeak* come back you %{^-$#* cowards!

Edited December 1, 2014 by fester the benevolent

[Gforcejunkypkt]

haha, that's classic!

Turtle 1: OK, now's our chance! Go for it!

Turtle 2: But we can't leave Rocky behind!

Turtle 3: He's toast man, we've got to save ourselves. Swim I tell ya!

Rocky: *squeak* come back you %{^-$#* cowards!

Post of the day imho

Edited December 1, 2014 by Gforcejunkypkt

[sunshine51]

@ Umbanda....Your post #11 is of a member of the iguana family however being of Southeast

Asian local they aren't as large as their Central & South American counterparts. They like to

live in thick brush such as a fence of tea plants or any thick brush for that matter. Maybe

aroi mak-mak but not much meat...aka...survival food.

@ Strangebrew....Komodos...evil lizards....not only is their saliva teaming with lethal bacteria,

they're also venomous as discovered only a few years ago. And they stalk their prey. What

is their prey? Anything they can successfully bite, retreat and let the venom & bacteria do

the dirty work...which usually only takes around 36 hours...or less. If on Komodo Island

(Indo NTT) and you get bitten by being stupid...it may take 3 days to get to hospital.

@ masuk...ditto to the above for strangebrew!

@ Oilinki...please be careful around the wildlife...OK?!...Please.

For all others interested...we have a 2+ meter water monitor who happily resides around our

home in Ranong...plus 6 dogs & a heap of many different varieties of snakes; from the

harmless to the deadly. The dogs are smart enough to leave the lizard & snakes alone while

I have a tendency to feed Walter/Wallette (we're not that close) every few weeks some eggs.

It's fairly used to me feeding it & likes its chin & neck "scratched" or stroked. When it's done

with the visit it ambles off to the bush. I have posted a pic or two of it on our roof in the

Nature thread of the Photography forum here on TVF...not the best pix...have a look if your

interested.

Just remember folks...wild animals are just that...wild & unpredictable...so don't do stupid

shit with them OK...you may regret it.

One last item that needed an edit...water monitors when angered will hiss in a mid to deep

sounding vocalisation that may have a bit of warble to it. If you approach one & this happens

retreat. Just retreat. You will be glad you did & so will your family & insurance company.

NB...edit to add the above last bit.

Edited December 1, 2014 by sunshine51

[off road pat]

There used to be a swamp / mangroves forest on Koh Samui were you could guaranteed see monitor lizards and i drove my jeep very often around there....just to see the wildlife.....Of course the place has been bulldozed and made place for some nice villas.....

But I was lucky to see monitors in all sizes and shapes in the good days.....

[maidee]

they all look rather small on the pics you posted here

once i was playing ping pong with a friend and tought i saw a crockodile, but its was "only" a giant monitor lizard

now that was scary, as it was near the pool area of the sports club

[jabis]

Monitor lizards are quite ignorant of human beings, as they don't perceive us as threats, and can be quite docile (youtube up 'big boy monitor lizard' to see to what extent). But as with all wild life; should one feel threatened in any way. and/or feel cornered(no place to Flash Gordon it) the most likely reaction will be to lash out an attack. They have poor eyesight, as most reptiles do, so the more sudden movement they smell/taste around the edges of their "sight", the more agitated they get, thus slowly backing out of their path is quite a wise thing to do. I'd love to get one as a pet - always been a sucker for them lizards

[fester the benevolent]

(snip)

I have a tendency to feed Walter/Wallette

(/snip)

That seems a little callous! Did you name it's offspring "matching beltte" and "footte-wear"?