#monitor lizards

Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)

A juvenile Rosenberg's monitor (Varanus rosenbergi) in Sydney, 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.

Lace Monitor 🦎 Dino Bird (2017)

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