Notes of the feeding behaviour of the water monitor Varanus salvator

Traeholt C., . Notes of the feeding behaviour of the water monitor Varanus salvator. pp. 229-241. ISSN 0025-1291

The present study reviews some behavioural aspects of the feeding behaviour of five individuals of the Malaysian Water Monitor lizard Varanus salvator. Search patterns and hunting techniques are revealed which document that V. salvator exhibits are-concentrated foraging behaviour and that the principal hunting mode is open pursuit rather than stalking and ambushing. This species also shows a significant tendency to seize live mice and rats in the head/chest region. Prey is always devoured anterior end first and the prey is normally killed before it is devoured. Social facilitation of feeding behaviour between individual lizards is common and no attempts at piracy were observed. The species shows a clear circadian rhythm; however the timing of peak acitivity shows inter-individual variability. Given the opportunity to feed on live fish the lizards showed no signs of being able to catch them

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Abstract

The present study reviews some behavioural aspects of the feeding behaviour of five individuals of the Malaysian Water Monitor lizard Varanus salvator. Search patterns and hunting techniques are revealed which document that V. salvator exhibits are-concentrated foraging behaviour and that the principal hunting mode is open pursuit rather than stalking and ambushing. This species also shows a significant tendency to seize live mice and rats in the head/chest region. Prey is always devoured anterior end first and the prey is normally killed before it is devoured. Social facilitation of feeding behaviour between individual lizards is common and no attempts at piracy were observed. The species shows a clear circadian rhythm; however the timing of peak acitivity shows inter-individual variability. Given the opportunity to feed on live fish the lizards showed no signs of being able to catch them

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Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Summary (En)
AGROVOC Term:	LAGARTO
AGROVOC Term:	HABITOS ALIMENTARIOS
AGROVOC Term:	CAZA
AGROVOC Term:	RITMOS BIOLOGICOS
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:56
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/20741

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