Panay Monitor Lizard (Varanus mabitang) is one of the most threatened lizards in the world, and Panay’s are decreasing for various reasons. It is important to know why the lizard is endangered and understand how it can be helped.
- Status: Endangered
- Known as: Panay Monitor Lizard, Mabitang
- Estimated numbers left in the wild: Defined as a separate species in 2001, there are no reliable numbers. Only 12 of these lizards have been captured. However, the population of the Panay monitor lizard appears to be falling.
The lizard species are indicators of the future development of other species in Panay because they influence their habitat and prey population. These monitor species of lizards are endangered because Panay holds a high human population.
As humans cut down the forests, these lizards lose habitat and prey that they need to survive. They also become another casualty when dragon meat is illegally poached in Panay and other species, such as pythons, cobras, and deer.
Panay is not the only island in Panay that experiences illegal wildlife trade, but if the endemic lizards are eliminated, then Panay’s biodiversity will suffer greatly.
It is also important that the lizards be saved because they contain various biochemical substances that can help with medicine for humans, such as antimicrobial peptides, which can prevent disease and increase survival rates.
Description
The Panay endemic species of monitor lizard is a species of gecko that inhabits the Panay in the Philippines. The species appears to be known for being one of the only lizards with skin patterns that change as they age, making it a rare lizard. This is why many believe they have longer life spans than other monitors.
Unfortunately, this lizard is endangered due to habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting for food or pet trade. The Panay lizard lives a life in the treetops and is considered by some to exist solely on fruit found there.
However, there is reason to believe this monitor will take bird eggs and insects when available. Its preferred habitat is well-established trees in the lowlands rainforest (mature trees will likely produce fruit) on Panay Island.
Not very much is known, at this point, about the breeding habits of the monitor lizard. Because the species was only described in 2001, little research has been done on the most basic facts of this lizard’s life.
Panay monitors Lizard’s Anatomy and Appearance.
This lizard is the Panay Monitors, Panay Giant Lizard, or Panay Island Monitor. It is closely related to the Komodo Dragon and Varanus. Along with their close relationship with the Komodo Dragons, these lizards are found in Indonesia, home to the largest variety of lizards.
But these lizards are not dangerous! They are timid and avoid humans as much as possible. They also rarely bite, even when provoked.
They can grow about 3 feet long from the snout to the tip of the tail.
These lizards are also known to have a crest of spiky scales running down their back, but this is more visible in juveniles than adults. One more physical feature that makes the Panay lizard unique is the presence of two black stripes on either side of the neck and head region.
The lizard is much more slender than is usually the case with lizards in this family. Its background coloration is dark grey-brown with black markings. The head is elongated, and the tail is longer than the body and head combined.
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Location
The Panay monitor occurs and is found exclusively on Panay Island in the Philippines. It needs mature rainforest and primary forest ecosystems with sufficient fruiting trees to survive.
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Habitat
The Panay endemic lizard is a critically endangered species inhabiting remnant forests of the Island of Panay. The lizard species is the country’s largest lizard and one of the most endangered. Its habitat is being threatened by deforestation and development.
Diet and Nutrition
This carnivorous lizard species eats mostly insects but will also eat small lizards, snakes, and birds. Panay endemic lizards have sharp teeth that are good for catching their prey. They also have a forked tongue that helps them smell their food.
They also have a long tail that helps them balance while running.
Panay lizards eat their food whole and don’t chew it. Their habitats include rainforests, swamps, Alang-Alang grasslands, and mangroves. They lay eggs in abandoned animal burrows or hollow logs. Their predators include humans and other larger lizards.
Panay Monitor Lizard Mating Habits
These lizards are usually monogamous, and they can have up to three clutches of eggs per year. Panay lizards are oviparous, meaning the eggs are hatched outside the mother’s body.
After incubating for two to three months, their embryos develop in a leathery eggshell and hatch. Because they are cannibalistic, the eggs help reduce competition for food. These lizard species can live for up to 10 years in the wild.
Conservation Status
Threats
Several threats confront the Panay lizard. One of the most serious is habitat destruction, as the island is logged for its rare trees. As human populations expand, agricultural use also restricts the monitor’s range.
These lizards cannot survive in disturbed forests where fruit trees are absent or infrequent. In addition to habitat loss, the Panay endemic lizard is hunted by the island’s indigenous population for food. Unfortunately, the species is a favored hunting target.
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Conservation efforts
This reptile is endangered mainly because it is hunted for its meat and skin and used to make handbags and fashion accessories like shoes, purses, and belts.
Their skin is unusually capable of dye extraction compared to other lizard species; it holds on to color much better than other monitors, making it more valuable for leather products.
According to documented shows, Panay lizards have been hunted for meat and skin. Because the endemic lizard is now on the CITES list, this animal cannot be legally exported without a permit. Several NGOs are working with the Philippine government to preserve forest areas for the monitors.
The study of the lizard is ongoing to provide more information that will contribute to its survival. Programs to educate villagers about the value of this rare lizard, where only twelve animals are captured, are designed to prevent them from being taken as food.
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Organizations
Do you know of or are you a part of an organization that works to conserve the Panay Monitor Lizard?
Organizations and international varanid interest groups are conducting ongoing conservation efforts for this species. If you are interested, please contact us to have it featured on Our Endangered World.
Final Thoughts
Panay Monitor Lizards are a critically endangered native species on Panay Island.
They have been hunted for meat and skin due to their unique leather qualities, making them valuable as fashion accessories like shoes, purses, and belts.
The lizard is on the CITES list, meaning that it cannot be exported without a permit from the Philippine government.
Several NGOs work with Filipino officials to preserve forest areas where the lizards live so that there will always be enough food sources for this rare lizard.
FAQ
Why are Panay monitor lizards endangered?
Their population is declining because of greatly impacted habitat loss due to destruction and deforestation, hunting for food or capture as pets, competition with other species for resources, and the introduction of non-native predators.
These species were also hunted to become goods for their meat and skin, especially for illegal national and international trade.
How does the Panay monitor lizard eat their prey?
To catch prey, these lizards often lunge and grab them with a short burst of speed. Their long tongue is sticky, allowing them to snatch insects from leaves as they fly past.
And if his quarry is too big, this reptile will pursue them on its massive clawed feet until he can pin the animal down with his strong jaws and forelimbs (or paws).
What predators do Panay monitor lizards have?
They have many predators, including small mammals such as deer, wild pigs, cats, and dogs. Larger lizards, snakes, and birds of prey also eat them.
What predators do Panay monitor lizards have?
These lizards are extremely tough to hunt. They have well-developed claws and spikes on their heads, legs, and tails.
These adaptations make it difficult for the lizard to eat alive, so predators avoid them. Panay lizards also have an excellent sense of smell, which further helps deter predators by showing them when there is danger nearby.
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