Some quick Varanid related reading

[MM1]

I was perusing the Tetrapod Zoology blog in Scientific American and came across a few Varanid related posts that had some cool pics and some interesting discussion; for anyone interested:

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/2014/02/12/obscure-attractive-monitor-lizards/
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/2014/02/16/prasinoid-tree-monitors/
http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2007/09/25/komodo-dragons-rock/

This one discusses play behavior in Crocodilians, Komodo Dragons, and Turtles (A shout out to Tank the snapping turtle and any of you out there with intellectually gifted pet monitors)
http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2009/05/30/dinosaurs-come-out-to-play/

[murrindindi]

Hi, a shame the last piece still persists with the toxic bacteria in their mouths myth!

[MM1]

Yes that article was from 2007 I believe. At least someone brought up the venomous saliva in the comments. The tree monitor overview a decent introduction to the group, I thought. And the Komodo with the tug of war battles and picking the keeper's pockets at the zoo was both humorous and indicative of their intelligence.

[infernalis]

If you can't get enough....

International Varanid Interest Group -Biawak Journal

[MM1]

Thanks. I looked through a few issues today. Excellent stuff. Now if I could just cordon off a couple hundred square feet of my Brooklyn apartment, seal it off and fill it with dirt.