Varanus is the only living genus of the family Varanidae. Varanids last shared a common ancestor with their closest living relatives, earless "monitors", during the Late Cretaceous.

Nov 6, 2025 · About 50 species of Varanus are recognized in the subfamily Varaninae. Most have an elongated head and neck, a relatively heavy body, a long tail, and well-developed legs. Their …

This family contains nearly 80 living species of monitor lizards that all belong to one genus, Varanus, which shows the widest size range of any vertebrate genus, from 20 cm (Varanus brevicauda) to 3 m …

The genus Varanus encompasses a wide range of monitor lizards, known for their intelligence, agility, and adaptability. These reptiles are found across Africa, Asia, and Australia, inhabiting diverse …

Jul 16, 2025 · The genus Varanus, commonly known as monitor lizards, encompasses a diverse group of reptiles found across Africa, Asia, and Oceania. These fascinating creatures display a wide range …

Species Varanus bushi Species Varanus caerulivirens Species Varanus caudolineatus Line-tailed Pygmy Monitor Varanus caudolineatus: pictures (1) Species Varanus cerambonensis Species …

Monitor lizards are large lizards in the genus Varanus. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and one species is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. About 80 species are recognized. …

Modern comparative methods allow examination of the probable course of evolution in a lineage of lizards (family Varanidae, genus Varanus). Within this genus, body mass varies by nearly a full five …

Monitor lizard, or monitor, is the common name for any of the Old World lizards comprising the Varanidae family, which contains only one extant genus, Varanus, whose members are …

Varanus (Merrem 1820) extant, over 70 species 12 to 300 cm was derived from a sister to Estesia and is a terminal taxon. Distinct from Estesia, the skull of Varanus has a longer rostrum with elongated …