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Abbreviation Legend

  • (CE) - Criticially Endangered
  • (CI) - Critically Imperiled
  • (E) - Endangered
  • (I) - Introduced
  • (IM) - Imperiled
  • (NT) - Near Threatened
  • (T) - Threatened
  • (V) - Vulnerable
  • (**) - Recent Classification Change
Home »» Lizards »» Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)

Monitor Lizards (Varanidae) of the United States


The Varanidae are a family of lizards in the superfamily Varanoidea within the Anguimorpha group. The fmaily, a group of carnivorous and frugivorous lizards included the living genus Varanus and a number of extinct genera. Varanus includes the Komodo Dragon (the largest living lizards), crocodile monitor, savannah monitor, the goannas of Australia and Southeast Asia, and various other species with a similarly distinctive appearance. Their closest living relatives are the anguid and helodermatid lizards.

There is 3 species, representing 1 genus, found in the United States, all of which are Introduced.

(I)

Nile Monitor
(Varanus niloticus)
(I)

Savannah Monitor
(Varanus exanthematicus)
(I)

Common Water Monitor
(Varanus salvator)
 

 

 

 

Recommended Books at Amazon.com


Handbook of Lizards: Lizards of the United States and of Canada     Lizards of the World: A Guide to Every Family     Texas Lizards: A Field Guide     National Geographic Readers: Lizards



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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
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