I opened my eyes to a peering dragon like creature within inches of face, panic stations said 'run' and I made my escape as the creature gazed into my eyes! This would be my first encounter with these fantastic creatures. An encounter which has lead to a fascination and true respect for water monitor lizards.
My first encounter with a monitor took place in Lumphini Park in Bangkok, Thailand. Lumphini Park is located in the centre of Bangkok and can easily be reached by jumping on the underground train - MRT or a taxi, although I would not advise taking a taxi Monday-Friday during peak hours of 7:00-10:00 a.m. or 4.00-8.00 p.m. If you do, prepare to be sat in traffic for an extended amount of time!
The park covers an area of 142 acres and is open daily from 4.30 a.m. to 21.00 p.m. and often attracts between 10,000-15,000 visitors a day, coming to sight-see, run, walk, cycle(during permitted hours), paddle across one of the vast ponds, play chess, utilise the outdoor gyms, play tennis and search for mystical monitor lizards among various other activities.
Getting back to our main feature of the article, monitor lizards generally grow to around 1-2 metres in length, and around 25 kg (55 lb) in weight. Although in the many sightings I have seen of the park wandering beasts, I have witnessed some beastly specimens which looked a lot closer to 3 metres head to toe, with big thick bodies, much bigger than in any of the photos in this article! Apparently the females can lay up to a whopping 40 eggs in a year and these water loving creatures can live as long as 20 years!
A modest sized monitor, measuring closer to 1.5 metres, slowly walking in front of my path with not a care in the world!
These prehistoric creatures tend to feed on snakes, fish, rodents, turtles and birds. They are known as scavengers with an accute sense of smell aiding them to hunt out rotten flesh. So, in some regards these giants help to keep down the population of rats and other unwanted vermin. But due to the females high yield of eggs, it doesn't take long for a large population to appear! According to many news sources they believed there to be other 400 hundred monitors wandering the greenery of Lumphini!
I have observed the monitors on several occasions, coming within a few feet of them and this is why I label them 'Gentle Giants'. Don't get me wrong , to a virgin observer of these reptiles it can be a trouser browning experience and my heart skipped a beat on meeting my first monitor on the banks of the water. But! On all the occasions I have seen them, they
have always gone about their business, keeping their distance from others. Furthermore I have not heard any stories of them attacking or chasing people, but I presume this would be possible if provoked in self-defence.
I just find it fascinating that you can be having a pic-nic or resting by the water and suddenly a monitor will just appear from the water, crossing the road or even climb down from a tree. On one occasion my family and I were resting on the banks of the water and one such creature did surface from the water followed by scaling a palm tree just to the left of us!
The culprit in action on its way up the tree, possibly going to look for food?
Unfortunately last year due to escalating numbers and complaints from people who seemed to find them threatening, the government removed over 100 lizards from the park. Apparently they were taken to a safe place outside of the city, but my worst fear is that they were used to make bags or clothing, I really do hope this is not the case.
Government official capturing one of the gentle giants.
If you are in Bangkok - Lumphini Park is a a lovely escape in the middle of the city and regardless of monitor hunting, it's well worth a visit. The last time I visited I didn't see many monitors, but they are still there and if you look near the banks of the water you are bound to spy some!
Well Steemians, thank you so much for reading my blog, it is truly appreciated. If you enjoyed this, don't forget to upvote and follow to see more exploring in Thailand.
Keep exploring!
Image Credits:
Pixabay - Dark Shadow
Pixabay - igorovsyannykov
Pixabay - igorovsyannykov
Munir Uz Zaman - Channel News Asia