V. bengalensis
Bengal monitor
There are two subspecies:Varanus bengalensis nebulosus(clouded monitor) has a higher number of scales at midbody thanV. bengalensis bengalensis, and a characteristic white speckling on the entire body.
Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bengladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia.
CITES:appendix I.
Easy-to-see descriptors
- transversal section of the tail : laterally compressed
- spiny tail : absence
- tail with median double-keel : presence
- bicoloured tail : absence
- position of nostrils between eyes and tip of snout : nearer the eyes than the tip of snout
- nostrils' form : oval or split-like
- tongue coloration : light pink or whitish ; blue, purple or black
- prehensile tail : absence
- nuchal scales : same size than head scales
- form of the snout : triangular
- pale band on the snout : absence
- relief of nuchal scales : not applicable
Expert descriptors
- direction of nostrils : laterally directed
- other head scales : the supra-ocular scales are surrounded by rows of tiny scales
- supra-ocular scales : specific pattern formed by one row of scales
- SVL - snout vent length : up to 40 centimeters ; 40 centimeters and more
- scale count around midbody : ?
- Origin of the specimen : Asia and austral isles