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Varanus salvator
Basic stats
Diet
Fish, carrion, eggs, small mammals, birds
Habitat
Rivers, coasts, wetlands
Range
South and Southeast Asia
Clutch size
15–40 eggs
Incubation period
About 6–9 months
Size
Very large (commonly 2m+)
Weight
~20–50kg
One of the largest lizards in the world, commonly exceeding 2m in length, found along rivers, coasts and wetlands throughout Sabah, including areas close to towns and villages — one of the most reliable large reptile sightings on any Kinabatangan river trip.
A powerful swimmer and opportunistic predator and scavenger, taking fish, carrion, eggs, small mammals and birds, and often seen basking on riverbanks or swimming with head and tail-tip breaking the surface.
