Monitor Lizard ID - Cat Tien, Vietnam (2 Viewers)

[beechwood]

This photo was taken in Cat Tien NP on 25th January 2024. I am wondering if it is possible to tell if it is an Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) or a Clouded Monitor (Varanus nebulosus). It is very high up in a tree on the banks of the river and looks very comfortable there. I understand the Clouded Monitor is an excellent tree climber but quite rare whilst the Asian Water Monitor is much more abundant but, as I understand it, only climbs trees for refuge.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[01101001]

Lizard in Singapore

I think it may be a 'Clouded Monitor" Taken in the Botanical Gardens

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I was trying to photograph some egrets that were sitting in a dead tree next to a pond when I observed this monitor lizard steadily making its way up the tree. Until then I was not aware that they could climb trees! This one was at least 15-20ft...

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[beechwood]

Thanks for the pictures. It seems from these posts that the Asian Water Monitor is quite happy high in trees hough the
Clouded Monitor photo is a good match, particularly around the mouth. I am going to say it is most likely an Asian Water Monitor, as they are far more common, there are no features that are definite for Clouded, and being 10m up a tree seems an OK location for a Water Monitor.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Shape of nostril is diagnostic IIRC but we can't see it here.

 

[beechwood]

Thanks Andy. Given your suggestion I have looked closely at photos of each type of monitor and it seems to me that the Asian Water Monitor has an oval nostril whilst that of the Clouded Monitor seems slightly pointed toward the front. Is that the difference that I should be looking for?

I have found a photo that shows the nostril on my observation. Sadly it doesn't seem to fit either of them.

 

[Brian Stone]

I had to research this after finding an odd-looking monitor in a hole at the top of a tree in Khao Pra Bang Kharm Wildlife Sanctuary last year. The nostril on Asian Water Monitor is set much further forward, close to the front of the head. Clouded has an elongated nostril about equidistant between the eye and front. Yours looks good for nebulosus to me. Mine was salvator

Nice one!

 

[beechwood]

Thanks Brian. That sounds good. Your photo is fantastic btw.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I had to research this after finding an odd-looking monitor in a hole at the top of a tree in Khao Pra Bang Kharm Wildlife Sanctuary last year. The nostril on Asian Water Monitor is set much further forward, close to the front of the head. Clouded has an elongated nostril about equidistant between the eye and front. Yours looks good for nebulosus to me. Mine was salvator

Nice one!

Here is a Clouded that I found in Malaysia.

It was in a hole when we found it and had to get him out for ID, 25 years ago