What is Monitor lizard?
{{Taxobox | name = Monitor lizards | image = Varanus exanthematicus (SqueakyMarmot).jpg | image_width = 300px | image_caption = ''[[Varanus albigularis]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]] | ordo = [[Squamata]] | subordo = [[Scleroglossa]] | infraordo = [[Anguimorpha]] | superfamilia = [[Varanoidea]] | familia = [[Varanidae]] | genus = '''''Varanus'''''}} '''Monitor lizards''', the [[genus]] '''''Varanus''''', are also known as '''biawak''' or '''goannas'''. They are members of the family [[Varanidae]]. Their closest living relatives are the [[Anguidae|anguid]] and ''[[Heloderma]]'' lizards. ''Varanus'' is a genus of largely carnivorous lizards. There are about 60 [[species]] in 10 subgenera. The species [[range (biology)|cover]] a vast area, occurring through [[Africa]], the [[Indian Subcontinent]], to [[China]], down [[Southeast Asia]] to [[Brunei]], [[Indonesia]], the [[Philippines]], [[New Guinea]], [[Australia]] and islands of the [[Indian Ocean]], and the [[South China Sea]]. A large concentration of monitor lizards occurs on [[Tioman Island]] in the Malaysian state of [[Pahang]]. Some are now found in [[South Florida]], particularly in the [[Everglades]]. Monitor lizards have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. The species include the largest living lizard, the [[Komodo dragon]], and the [[crocodile monitor]]. Most species are [[terrestrial]], but [[arboreal]] and semi-[[aquatic]] monitors are also known. International trade in five species is banned, and all the others are threatened species.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.asean-wen.org/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=80 |title=Identification guides for wildlife traded in Southeast Asia |publisher=ASEAN-WEN |year=2008 |access-date=2015-12-11 |archive-date=2016-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412165446/http://www.asean-wen.org/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=80 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==Species== Subgenus ''Empagusia'': * [[Bengal monitor]] * [[Black roughneck monitor]]