What You Know About Earless Monitor Lizard?
Answer to the question What Is Earless Monitor Lizard? The earless monitor lizard is the semi aquatic brown reptile that is located in the Southeast Asian Islands of Borneo. It is the only living species 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 a day during the late Cretaceous period.
Although the fossil records are completely silent on this matter, this means that Lathon has been long ghost lineage extending back to the Mesozoic earless monitor.
Earless monitor lizards have the ears that have the internal openings 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 your 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 does not have the external ear openings.
These are known for their semi aquatic lifestyle. They live 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 cylindrical 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 through the lacquer tympanum an ear opening and the other externally visible signs of the ear.
The upper parts of the body are orangish brown and the underside is mottled dark brown. Whitish adult earless monitor lizards typically have a total length of about 40 cm of 16 inches.
They have the prehensile tail which is when lost then it is not regenerated. Their skin sheds possibly once in a year. They are weighted about 40 to 120kg. Overall all the sexes are the same but the males have a distinctive broader head and brought a tail base than the females. They sometimes oscillate their throat similar to frogs and the forked tongue.
What is Diet of Earless Monitor Lizard?
The diet of the monitor lizard is mostly similar to that of other monitor lizards. As we know that these monitor lizards are found in the moist and forestry areas so that they eat the worms, insects, squids, pieces of the pigs, chicken, the muscles etc but they do not eat the birds and the legs of the frogs. Most monitor lizards are almost entirely carnivorous and feed on the prey such as the amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
In the captivity the adult earless monitor lizards eat 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 no venom but according to the modern studies many specialists have said 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 such as the Southeast Asian Islands, East Malaysia etc.
These monitor lizards are distributed in the Africa, mostly where also found in the Sahara except in the Northwest area. About 80 species of the monitor lizards are discovered one of them in the earless monitor lizard.
The Earless Monitor Lizard is found in the lowland rainforests of Borneo mainly in Malaysia and Indonesia. They live in moist, humid environments or usually near slow moving streams, rivers and swamps. These semi-aquatic lizards spend 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 very different from the other monitor lizards as because of their appearance and their body shape. Their most exclusive features make 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 there is just a sign.
Their feeding habit is not more but less different from the other lizards. The other special thing about them is that they have the fork shaped tongues 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 learn 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 offering the protection and camouflage.
- Known as a “living fossil,” this species is the sole member of its genus which represents 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 island of Borneo, specifically in the lowland rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia. It lives in 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 which 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.