Iguana Kingdom v The Monitor Lizards

This sounds like Alien vs Predator. In 2009, there was an American TV series which ran for a few seasons called ''V'' about lizard-like aliens on Earth. Singapore is getting more species like otters and the peacock bass. Maybe someday dolphins and whales may come regularly. We have already had foreign lizards on our soil.

Occasionally, people have mistaken a monitor lizard for a crocodile. Certainly it could not be a Komodo Dragon which is only found on the island of Komodo in Indonesia. But with irresponsible and ignorant pet owners. sometimes, you never know. People are releasing all kinds of species into our forests and waterways. You can find many types of non-native fish species in our waterways. It is still good to be sure especially if you are the adventurous kind who likes to go into the forests or partake in activities in our waterways. Do  you remember there was once where we found a few elephants in Tekong? You don't want to be the first to find out especially in close proximity. What happens if they were tigers?

Monitor Lizards

Even today, many people would call monitor lizards as iguana. Those that are commonly found in our park connectors, forested areas or golf courses are monitor lizards. This is a monitor lizard sticking out its blue forked tongue. I took this photo when it was just coming out of the bush.

Monitor lizards are large and are native to Africa, Asia and the Oceania regions. They have long necks, powerful tails and sharp claws and could grow to 3m (10 ft.) long. Monitor lizards are known to feed on small reptiles, fish, birds and small mammals but also fruits and vegetation. They also play a role as scavengers. I saw one with a tortoise in its mouth. (From the above photo's position, it moved towards me - below).

The most commonly found here are the Malayan water monitor. The other species are the clouded monitor and the rarer Dumeril's monitor. You can find really huge ones at Sungei Buloh or Pulau Tioman freely roaming around. A couple of times, I happened to capture a couple big ones mating, splashing heavily in the water and also on the ground as if they are dancing unashamedly:

Can the Monitor lizard attack and bite humans and are they dangerous? They are naturally shy and stay away from humans. They will spend their energy hunting for food than fighting with you so they do not attack unless provoked. 

Are they venomous? The decaying flesh (carrion meat) of dead animals stuck in their teeth are a haven foe bacteria. This will cause infection on bite wounds but the main cause of death to their preys is from the venom secreted but its venom is not fatal to humans. Of more concern would be bacteria infection. 

Iguana

Iguanas are non-native to Singapore. They are native to the Caribbean, South America, Mexico and Central America. The green iguana is widespread and even became popular as pets. It is herbivorous. They can be commonly found in Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, the Caribbean Islands and Puerto Rico. You do not see them all over our little island despite our many pockets of greenery. 

There is but one place where you will find plenty of iguanas! At the Warren Golf and Country Club. Many years ago when I was there, I saw one near the waters and it was a huge one. In more recent years, they are all over the place as if they have taken over the place and I was told that they could be found in forested areas especially near the waterways in Choa Chu Kang. There used to be a reptile park in Jurong? Could some have escaped from there? Did some folks released what were once their pets? During my last golf game at Warren, the below was the first iguana that greeted me from the top of a wall near some bushes.

People are curious and would ask a question like do iguanas bite? Of course they do. Anything that has a mouth and teeth bites. However, iguana teeth are designed to rip at plants so are strong enough to deliver pain as their jaws are powerful but they do so only in self defence.

Monitor lizards have to hunt for food so they would rather conserve their energy to hunt than to fight with other animals or lizards or you. They would normally go away. 

Iguanas can be a threat to you, especially those old, large aggressive  male ones and can do some damage. So too old are old, large and aggressive male humans.

This one below is quite  big.



At Warren, they are everywhere. 

Even near buggy path. So watch out for them and not run over them. 

There are reports that said iguana carry Salmonella on their skin that could cause infections. Not sure why some keep them as pets. Perhaps because they are unique in looks.

Like the animal kingdom, the lizard kingdom has great varieties. 

Do invite me to Warren to watch them as we have a round of golf. 

The very large one in the above photo was motionless and looked exactly like a stone statue. 

They may be everywhere surrounding this entire waterway but I have only seen them at Warren. Welcome to Iguana Kingdom in Singapore.