#monitor lizards

Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)

A Merten's water monitor (Varanus mertensi) in Northern Australia

[...] there was a unique sight in the final practice session on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix when an adventurous lizard put a halt to proceedings. The curious reptile ventured onto the Marina Bay Street Circuit, running around without a care in the world while cars sped past at frightening speeds. To protect the drivers – and the lizard – the session was red flagged, meaning all drivers had to return to the pitlane while the reptile was removed. The official Formula One X account called it the “weirdest red flag ever,” while some of the drivers were clearly perplexed by the lizard. Mercedes driver George Russell could be heard asking: “What on earth is that thing?!” After his engineers informed him it was a lizard, the British driver replied: “A what?! It looks like a dragon!” As the drivers returned to the pitlane, it was left to the marshals to remove the lizard from the track so racing could continue. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/21/sport/f1-lizard-practice-singapore-spt-intl/index.html

Bonus:

Why build your own nest when you can just someone else's? When it comes to laying eggs, female lace monitors seek out a large termite mound, dig a small hole, and lay their eggs inside. The termites then seal up the hole; the eggs remain protected, and the mound is kept at an ideal incubation temperature. As a bonus, the hatchlings get an all-you-can-eat termite buffet when they emerge!

Natural History in Zoological Gardens, by Frank E. Beddard. Illustration by Winifred Austen. 1905.

Australia's Lost Dragon, Megalania. Varanids are the coolest animals ever don't @ me.