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Photo Information
Copyright: Thomas Sautter (mjdundee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 76 W: 0 N: 287] (1207)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1999-12
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 3, Tamron 28-300 XR
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Monitors, monsters, & dragons 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-01-12 4:38
Viewed: 4717
Points: 4
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I think this shows a 'water monitor' and found this approx. 1.5 m large süecies nearby the Lake Wabby lookoutpoint. Couldn't find anything specific about water monitors - so here is what wikipedia says about monitors:

Monitor lizards are the family Varanidae, a group of lizards which includes the largest living lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Varanidae contains only a single genus: Varanus.

In Australia monitor lizards are known as goannas


Evolutionary Overview
Monitor lizards are considered to be the most highly developed lizards, possessing a relatively rapid metabolism for reptiles, several sensory adaptations that benefit the hunting of live prey, and a lower jaw that may be unhinged to facilitate eating large prey animals. Recent work also indicates that the Varanid lizards, including the Komodo dragon, produce venom. These latter two adaptations are shared with snakes, which are thought to have evolved from a sister group to the Varanidae as part of a larger venom clade.

Origin of Name
It has been said that the name of monitor lizards is derived from a superstition that the creatures would give a warning about the presence of crocodiles. However, this explanation may be apocryphal. According to Wildwatch, the name actually resulted from a mishearing of the Arabic word oaran (lizard) as the German warnen (to warn), which was subsequently Latinized into monitor.
anavazao, moemf, dew77 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi,
great moment and composition!
Good Note!
Ana:)

  • Great 
  • moemf Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 105 W: 0 N: 160] (703)
  • [2006-01-12 8:04]

Hi

Great shot of this camouflaged monitor. Well spotted. Very well captured moment and POV. TFS

Reinier

  •      
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2006-01-12 9:42]

Hello Thomas!
Wonderful capture.Camouflage is amazing.I liked sharpness,clear details,POV and composition a lot.
TFS...:-)
PT

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