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Malaysian Water Monitor


Malaysian Water Monitor
Photo Information
Copyright: Foozi Saad (foozi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-14
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon SX10 IS
Exposure: f/5.7, 1/25 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-01-14 2:47
Viewed: 7106
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Water monitor, Varanus salvator is a large species of monitor lizard capable of growing up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) in length, but most adults are 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) long at most, and are close in size to the Komodo Dragon. Maximum weight of Varanus salvator can be over 75 kg, but most are half that size. Their body is muscular with a long powerful tail. Water monitors are perhaps the most common monitor lizards in Asia, and range from Sri Lanka, India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula and various islands of Indonesia, living in tropical forested areas.
Behavior and diet
Water monitors can be aggressive using their tail, claws, and jaws when fighting. They are excellent swimmers, using the raised fin located on their tails to steer through water. Water Monitors are carnivores, and have a wide range of foods. They are known to eat fish, frogs, rodents, birds, crabs, and snakes. They have also been known to eat turtles, attacking them when they are out of their shells, as well as young crocodiles and crocodile eggs. Some large individuals may even attack deer. Like the Komodo Dragon, it will often eat carrion.

In Malaysia, this species is one of the most common wild animals around with numbers comparable to that of the population of macaques there. Although many fall prey to humans via road kill and animal cruelty, it still thrives in most states of Malaysia especially in the shrubs of the east-coast states such as Pahang and Terengganu. Malay "kampung" boys and young working class malay men often catch and kill water monitors for their own amusement although the widespread population of the species causes the lack of conservation attention. In the east-coast states of Malaysia, this species is very common in roadkill.
matatur, mohaiminawang, maurydv, banaei_nikon, ferranjlloret, uleko, Argus, Alex99, Dis. Ac., siggi, jusninasirun, pierrefonds, gracious, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2009-01-14 4:45]

Hi Foozi,impressive portrait,the details and the colors are very very nices and the point of view perfectly choose,my best compliments,great scoop!! Luciano

Portrait of a fine specimen with beautiful scalation Foozi, the long neck and strong claws are nicely emphasized here, against the darkish natural BG. TFS this fine image my friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet

Salam Foozi,

Beautiful colour and texture of monitor lizard captured and good clear sharpness.I like the setting and BG too.How big is the lizard? TFS and good note.


regards
mohaimin

Ciao Foozi,
molto bello questo ritratto di varano catturato in una bella postura e con un'ottima definizione e un eccellente POV che esaltano la texture della pelle, molto belli i colori e il contrasto con BG scuro.
TFS.
Maurizio

Salam Foozi
Impressive moment captured
Good shot. Nice macro....good contrast. Good efforts.

TFS
**MAB**

Hi Foozi,
Beautiful Varanus salvator species unknown for my, very good portrait.
Well done! TFS and Best regards.
Ferran

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2009-01-14 5:57]

Hello Foozi,
A very interesting close portrait of this impressive Water Monitor. Fine details and beautiful colours of the skin! The sharp claws are shown here too! A nicely framed capture.
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2009-01-14 6:38]

Hi Foozi,
Wonderful close-up shot of this great looking Water Monitor with such amazing details and clarity on its scales. Lovely colours and fine lighting.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2009-01-14 6:44]

Hello Foozi,
A nice close portrait of a Water Monitor clearly showing the head and neck with fair sharpness as it pauses on a tree trunk. Interesting to read that it is still common in Malaysia.
Thanks for sharing this,
Best wishes,
Ivan

Hi Foozi,

so is this a beauty of an picture.
Nice portrait of this prehistic animal.
Good details and beautiful colours.

Gert

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2009-01-14 9:11]

Hi Foozi.
Excellent portrait of the lizard. Its skin and other impressive parts are reflected perfectly. Colours and texture reproduction are stunning. I also like wonderful cropping of the image and nice note. Thanks and my compliments.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-01-14 9:51]

Hello Foozi
A very well focused shot of this lizard.The POV and DOF are very good,the details are sharp and clear.The BG is very well done.Nicely composed in the frame.TFS
Best regards Siggi

Hi Foozi,
A good portrait of this Water Monitor.
Amazing textures and colours here.
Cheers and TFS
Steve

Hello Foozi

Excellent detail and texture,the colours are rich and well saturated.
The POV is terrific.
Well composed with good eye detail and catch light.
Nicely done.
TFS

Wolf

Salam Foozi.

This bewak serunai will make bayram happy. You have captured well with the eye looking at you in pristine sharpness. PoV and light management are flawless and enjoy the remaining of your Friday break.

Regards,
Jusni

Hi Foozi,

The close-up point of view is showing with precision the details and colors of the lizard. The subject is well frame. The light is enhancing the colors of the scenery. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Abang Foozi,
Very nice closeup on the Water Monitor with it's sharpness, nice colour and details of it!
I see them when I was a little boy and coming to the chicken barn to eat them in Sabah! brings good memories!
terima kasih
warmest regards to the family in Jitra!
adik Tony

Salaam Foozi
Woooow nice Lizard and nicely colour and Good compose and expose - Thank for note
Good job and framing
Well done .. TFS
-- SADEGH --

Hi Foozi, sorry i missed this beauty. Greatly captured molitor my friend. Thanks a lot for this.
Cheers,
Bayram

Comme je suis plus batraciens et reptiles j'ai visité ton album et je trouve cette photo très impressionnante. On dirais voir renaître un dinosaure. Très belle prise et beau détails de ce superbe lézard. Rudy

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