Hobbies And Interests
Fish
Monitor species that live in or near water will feed on fish. The Malayan water monitor is found in many areas of Asia and can grow up to two meters long. According to Naturia.per.sg, it feeds on any animal it can swallow, including eels up to one meter in length. In Africa, the Nile monitor lives close to the water and can dive for up to one hour in its search for aquatic prey, according to the Honoloulu Zoo website.
Insects
According to Lizards.com, young monitor lizards will feed on insects such as crickets. Adult monitors will eat earthworms and silkworms to supplement their diet. The Australian goanna monitor also includes insects in its diet, which it will dig for in order to uncover. The goanna will also feed on larger prey, if it has the opportunity. According to Outback-Australia-Travel-Secrets.com, the goanna has the ability to unhinge its lower jaw to help it swallow large prey.
Mammals
Nearly all monitor lizards are carnivorous, consuming anything from rats to buffalo. The largest living monitor lizard is the Komodo dragon, which can reach up to three meters long. The Komodo ambushes and subsequently feeds on large mammals; such as pigs, deer and buffalo. Their main source of food however, is carrion, which it can locate from up to six miles away, according to NewWorldEncyclopedia.com.
Fruit
The Gray's monitor (Varanus olivaceus) forages for fruit in the wild, as does a relatively new species discovered in previously unexplored Philippine forests. Varanus bitatawa grows up to two meters long and it is one of only two other fruit-eating monitor lizards, according to NewScientist.com. Fruits eaten by Varanus bitatawa, include those from the Pandanus tree, as well as figs and pili but fruit.