Eco-biology of Monitor lizard
Pakistan J. Wildl., vol. 16(2), pp 26-35, 2025
Eco-biology of Monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) in Cholistan Desert Bahawalpur, Punjab
Sangam Khalil1*, Shahryar Ul Hassan1
1Institute of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of
Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Running Title: Ecobiology of Monitor lizard
ABSTRACT
Recent study was conducted to gather information on the ecology and behavior of monitor lizard (V. bengalensis) in Cholistan desert Bahawalpur during May 2017 to April 2018. Selected areas were eight in number with eight different habitats for monitoring, these habitats comprised on; Desert, Agriculture crop land, Canal side, Forest area, Ponds & Lakes, Orchards, Nurseries, and Human settlements. The procedure opted for survey was visual encounter followed by line transect. Focal sample method was also used for observing all the activities of an individual lizard from dawn to dusk. Preferred habitat observed was dry land or deserted areas followed by forested areas. Its diet comprised of crustaceans, earthworms, arthropods, beetles, fishes, frog and vegetables & fruits. Breeding period starts from end of February to mid of May in this area. Eggs laid in month of April but eggs could be found until end of May in felled logs or in termite mounds. Incubation period ranges between 5-6 months. Hatchlings emerged in the months of August and September. Out of total 126 eggs, total eggs hatched were 39. According to our calculation, there were ̴ 50-70 individual in each of eight study sites and approximately total 700 number of individual of V. bengalensis found in the area of Cholistan desert. Due to illegal hunting or poaching, the population of V. bengalensis in these areas is at decline; long-term study has been recommended to know the trend of monitor lizard population throughout its range.
Key words: Cholistan desert, Ecobiology, Lizards, Varanus bengalensis, Visual encounter survey method (VES)