{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "water-monitor",
  "name": "Asian Water Monitor",
  "scientificName": "Varanus salvator",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "The Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is one of the largest lizards in the world, reaching up to 3 m (10 ft) long and around 25 kg (55 lb). It lives across South and Southeast Asia in wetlands, rivers, mangroves, and coastal areas, where it walks powerfully on land and swims with ease using its muscular tail. A carnivore and scavenger, it eats almost anything it can catch and can live 10 to 20 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Squamata",
    "family": "Varanidae",
    "genus": "Varanus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 20,
    "lengthM": 2,
    "topSpeedKmh": 30,
    "lifespanYears": 15
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Varanus salvator"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (also scavenges)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Wetlands, rivers, mangroves, and coasts"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "10–20 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "Up to 3 m (10 ft)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "Up to 25 kg (55 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Wetlands, rivers, mangroves, and coasts across South and Southeast Asia.",
    "continents": [
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Varanus salvator.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Varanus%20salvator&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Varanus salvator. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Varanus_salvator/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Asian Water Monitor.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_water_monitor"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/water-monitor/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/water-monitor/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}