This large land monitor is among the largest lizards in the world. Widely foudn throughout South Asia, the Bengal Monitor, or Varanus bengalensis, hunts small animals such as fish, birds, beetles and other creatures.

They are surprisingly quick and agile, being able to climb trees and swim with ease. In Sri Lanka, where this land monitor was photographed, they are sometimes killed for their meat, thus listing them as a ‘Commercially Threatened’ species in that country.

The Bengal Monitor can grow to lengths of almost 2m and weigh more than 7kg. They have sharp claws and are considered to be carnivores. This is one of two monitor species found in Sri Lanka, the other being a water monitor, Varanus salvator.