Status of Bengal monitor in Bangladesh.

Abstract

A nine month study of the Bengal Monitor in Bangladesh was conducted to analyze the common characteristics, behavior and other related characteristics. The aim of the study was to know variety of Bengal Monitor in Bangladesh, their behavioral characteristics, physiological status, reproduction, nutrition, diseases and other related traits. The method of this study include observation, photography, query from internet and people around. Bengal Monitor are native to Southeast Asia and West Asia. In Bangladesh Bengal monitor are common, mostly in villages. The Bengal Monitors have long bodies, short legs, and thick coat with coarse texture. These are terrestrial (although the young are often seen on trees), diurnal solitary hunters that search during the day till late evening; active in the early morning and early evening in search of reptiles. They are not so domesticated; but can be tamed to a considerable extent. They are alert and usually shy and avoid humans. It exhibits a cautious routine exit-entry movement, i.e. coming very calmly out of the monitored burrow few hours after sunrise, and if the environment is found undisturbed, they go on foraging following a particular route in its territorial range and returning to the burrow just before sunset. Bengal Monitors are opportunistic hunters feeding mainly on frogs, fish, lizards, snakes and rodents. They are strictly carnivorous in nature.These poikilothermal hazard’s normal body temperature is 34.5⁰C. Mean body weight 6.72 to 7.18 kg. In general, Bengal Monitors attain sexual maturity within 2.5 to 3 years, incubation period is around 4 to 8 months. Average number of offspring is around 20. The life span of Bengal monitor is average 22 years. Like other reptiles the Bengal Monitor suffered by different kinds of diseases such as Septicemia, Septicemic Cutaneous Ulcerative Disease (SCUD), Necrotic Dermatitis, Abscesses, Infectious Stomatitis, Pneumonia, Otitis, Mycobacteriosis, Spinal Osteomyelitis etc.This is an threaten species, in Bangladesh and the number is decreasing day by day. This wild species play role for the nature and also beneficial to mankind.