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Animals & Habitats
crocodile monitor with tongue out
Scientific Name
Varanus salvadorii
Range
New Guinea, West Papua in Indonesia
Conservation Status
Least Concern

Large Lizard

Crocodile monitors can reach lengths of up to 8 feet making them the third longest lizard behind its Monitor family relatives, the Asian water monitor and the largest of all, the Komodo Dragon. Their tails are exceptionally long and can be used for a whipping defense.

Nice Chompers

Crocodile monitors have unique teeth compared to other monitor species as they are flat and serrated. Their upper teeth are long and fang-like, and are used to hook fast-moving prey items, like birds, bats and rodents. Inside their mouth is a long, forked tongue, the only reptiles besides snakes to have this type of tongue which is used for directional smell.

 

To learn more, download the Crocodile Monitor fact sheet.