Land monitor is widely distributed throughout
the country from sea level to mid hills up to about 500m a.s.l. It is diurnal and
usually active after having got it body temperature up by basking in the
morning. It spends the night in tree holes, crevices and even in the ceilings
of the houses. Juveniles mainly feed on insects while adults prey on frogs,
small mammals (rats, squirrels), snails, insects, grubs, crabs, eggs, etc. Its
flesh is a delicacy among indigenous Vedda people. Also other jungle
villagers hunt these lizards for its flesh which is believed to be easy to digest
and hence good for pregnant women and invalids. Fighting among males during
breeding season take place in ‘bipedal fashion’ can be occurred and it is believed
that they probably breed all the year round and lays 10-30 eggs in a burrow in
the ground, in termite mounds or inside decaying logs.
