Varanus rudicollis

The black roughneck monitor lizard, Varanus rudicollis, is a species of monitor lizard found in Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Burma, and Malaysia. It is also found in Indonesia on Sumatra and islands of the Riau Archipelago It is sometimes known simply as the roughneck monitor lizard. In Thailand is called h̄èā cĥāng (Thai: เห่าช้าง; 'elephant bark'). The habitat of Varanus rudicollis is limited to primary and secondary rainforest and mangrove swamps. In the wild the black roughneck monitor is very rarely seen, but whether this is because of its rarity or its very secretive behavior is uncertain. They are often kept successfully in captivity, but have a shy disposition. The roughneck is a medium to large monitor. It usually reaches an average adult size of 3–4 ft. (90–120 cm), with a maximum length of 5 feet (150 cm), reported. The rough-necked monitor can be easily recognized by large pointed scales adorning the necks of adults. They are a thinner, long-bodied lizard with a prominently pointed snout. There are two primary species, simply defined as “black” or “ brown”. The black roughnecks, when young, have various markings to better camouflage amongst leaf litter. As they get older, the colors fade into primarily black or dark gray. They are arboreal, diurnal and feed on mainly insects as well as frogs, small mammals, reptiles and fish. The brown roughneck, also called the Dumeril’s Monitor is a specialized shellfish feeder. They have similar markings to the black roughnecks when young, but when older fade to a brown color, as their name implies. Both black and brown are known for their very calm temperament. They rarely bite or tail whip. When threatened they prefer to escape, urinate or deficate, puff up their throats or “go necrotic” by closing their eyes as if playing dead.