What You Know About Earless Monitor Lizard?
Answer to the question What Is Earless Monitor Lizard? Earless monitor lizard is the semi aquatic brown reptile that is located in the Southeast Asian Islands of Borneo. It is the only living specie in the family londono today and it is related to the true monitor lizard. The paleontologists have suggested that the lineage diverged from true monitor lizards of the family for an a day during the late cretaceous period.
Although the fossil records is completely silent on this matter, this means that Lathon have been long ghost lineage extending back to the Mesozoic earless monitor. Earless monitor lizards have the ears that have the internal opening and the external visible signs, so that they can hear the voices. Earless monitor lizards are naturally shy and stay away from the humans but if you will hurt them then the situation will become dangerous for you. So as long you keep distance from them it will be safe for you.
Introduction:
The Earless Monitor Lizard a family of Lanthanotus borneensis is a rare and interesting reptile found in the rainforests of the Borneo. By its name this lizard is not truly earless you all thought that how? Today i will tell you that it has its internal ears but do not have the external ear openings. These are known for their semi-aquatic lifestyle. They lives in the moist and forested environments near streams. With its elongated body, small limbs and prehensile tail it is also called as the “living fossil” due to its ancient lineage and exclusive features. Let us explore more about the Earless Monitor Lizard.
What Appearance, Size & Weight Earless Monitor Lizard Have?
The earless monitor lizard has the cylinderical body. They have the long neck, short limbs, long short claws, small eyes, semi transparent eye-lid and the six longitudinal rows of strongly keeled scales. Along with the name they are capable of hearing although lacquer tympanum an ear opening and the other externally visible sign of ear. The upper parts of the body are orangish brown and the underside is mottled dark brown. Whitish adult earless monitor lizard typically have a total length about 40 cm of 16 inches.
They have the prehensile tail which is when lost then it is not regenerated. Their skin shed possibly once in a year. They are weighted about 40 to 120kg. Overall all the sexes are same but the males have the distinctive broader head and brought a tail base then the female. They sometime oscillate their throat similar to frog and the fork tongue.
What is Diet of Earless Monitor Lizard?
The diet of the monitor lizard is mostly similar to the other monitor lizards. As we know that these monitor lizard are found in the moist and forestry areas so that they eat the worms, insects, squids, piece of the pigs, chicken, the mussle etc but they do not eat the birds and the legs of the frog. Most monitor lizards are almost entirely carnivorous that feed on the prey such as the amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
In the captivity the adult earless monitor lizards eats the one or two in a week but a time comes in which they do not feed for long. In past studies say that these lizards have not venom but according to the modern studies many specialist has told that these lizards contain the gland in which they contain the venom. So, their bites are full of the venom, so it will be dangerous when a earless monitor lizard bites you.
Monitor Lizard Habitat:
These lizards are adapted to the cooler areas and can afford the low temperature instead of the high. There are many monitor lizards in the world but the biggest one is the Komodo dragon. The earless monitor lizards are found in the low temperature areas as the Southeast Asian Islands, East Malaysia etc. These monitor lizards are distributed in the Africa, mostly where also found in the Sahara except the Northwest area. About 80 species of the monitor lizards are discovered one of them in earless monitor lizard.
The Earless Monitor Lizard are found in the lowland rainforests of Borneo mainly in Malaysia and Indonesia. They lives in moist, humid environments or usually near slow moving streams, rivers and swamps. These semi-aquatic lizards spending much of their time in or near the water where they can easily hide among the vegetation and debris.
How Earless Monitor Lizards Are Different From Other Lizards?
The earless monitor lizard is much different from the other monitor lizards as because of their appearance and the body shape. Their most exclusive features makes them unique among the other lizards. They have the name earless monitor lizard along with that they also have the ability to listen. Because they have the ears that open internally but external their is just the sign.
Their feeding habit is not more but less different from the other lizards. The other special thing in them is that they have the fork shaped tongue, after the snake they enjoy this natural feature due to this they are unique and interesting from the all other monitor lizards. You can also know about the What are monitor lizards like as a pet?
Facts & Features Of Earless Monitor Lizard:
The facts and the features of earless monitor lizard are as follows:
- The Earless Monitor Lizard is an enigmatic species found only in Borneo.
- Despite its name, it isn’t truly earless; it lacks external ear openings but has internal ears.
- This small and the semi-aquatic lizard has an elongated, or snake like body with the small limbs and a prehensile tail which it uses to navigate through its dense, humid rainforest habitat.
- Its scales are rough and keeled that offers the protection and camouflage.
- Known as a “living fossil,” these species is the sole member of its genus which representing an ancient lineage.
- The Earless Monitor Lizard is nocturnal and elusive that making it difficult to study in the wild.
- These lizards are endangered due to their habitat loss and illegal trade.
FAQ’s:
1 Where is the Earless Monitor Lizard located to?
The Earless Monitor Lizard is found in the the island of Borneo, specifically in the lowland rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia. It lives in the moist and humid environments along the slow moving streams and rivers, where it remains well camouflaged and elusive in its dense forest habitat.
2 How does the Earless Monitor Lizard reproduce?
The Earless Monitor Lizard is believed to be oviparous, meaning it lays eggs. However, due to its elusive nature, detailed information on its reproduction is limited. The species likely lays its eggs in secluded, moist environments within its forest habitat, where the young hatch and develop independently.
3 How does the Earless Monitor Lizard adapt to its environment?
The Earless Monitor Lizard adapts to its environment through its semi-aquatic lifestyle, elongated body and prehensile tail, which help it navigate dense forests and streams. Its rough, keeled scales provide camouflage and protection while its nocturnal behavior allows it to avoid predators and live in its humid, forested habitat.
4 Is the Earless Monitor Lizard endangered?
Yes, the Earless Monitor Lizard is considered endangered. Their population is threatened by the habitat loss due to deforestation in Borneo and illegal collection for the pet trade. Due to its elusive nature, the species faces the significant risks which leads to its protection under international conservation laws.
5 How many species of Earless Monitor Lizard?
There is only one species of Earless Monitor Lizard that is “Lanthanotus borneensis”. This unique species is the sole member of its genus “Lanthanotus” and represents an ancient lineage of lizards. With its rarity and the limited distribution in Borneo, no other species within this genus has been discovered till now.
