World Lizard Day 2023: Monitor Lizard (Varanus spp.) Count in India

C.S. Samrat; Priyanka Mandal; Mrittika Das; Rajashree Sain; Ritayan Mukherjee; Anuska Das; Anindita Majumdar; Arijit Chatterjee

doi:10.15468/gmecv2

World Lizard Day 2023: Monitor Lizard (Varanus spp.) Count in India

Citation

Samrat C, Mandal P, Das M, Sain R, Mukherjee R, Das A, Majumdar A, Chatterjee A, Barman N, Basu Roy A, Barve V (2024). World Lizard Day 2023: Monitor Lizard (Varanus spp.) Count in India. Version 1.10. Nature Mates-Nature Club. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/gmecv2 accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-07-11.

Description

Monitor Lizards of the Varanidae family are a diverse group of reptiles of the Squamata order, representing the ancient group of anguimorph reptiles. Distributed throughout Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Australasia. They serve as predators and scavengers in local ecosystems. According to the IUCN, the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) is declared endangered (EN), and the Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) is categorized as Nearly Threatened (NT). Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) and Desert Monitor (Varanus griseus) are still listed under Least Concern (LC). In India, all four species fall under Schedule I Part II of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Monitor Lizards have been fascinating species in the reptile class. Their morphological characteristics, behavior, and coexistence within human settlement have been a reason for much research about these lizards. Recent scenarios show that the population of different species are declining due to urban sprawling, habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, overuse of pesticides and many other reasons. As initiated in 2022 and the remarkable response we received, we are back again with the Monitor Lizard (Varanus spp.) count for 2023 to understand the current population and distribution pattern of Monitor lizards all over India and to educate the citizens about these species by involving them in this counting process.

Purpose

For understanding the distribution of Monitor lizard species throughout the India.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

This study was conducted throughout the India during monsoon season.

Sampling

opportunistic sampling and submission of data online through a google form questionnaire. Historical data was also accepted.

Method steps

Data was collected using a google form questionnaire. Photos of the lizard were also provided, wherever possible by the users. Date, location (both are mandatory), habitat and behavior (optional). This form was circulated along with an instructions poster in ecologically inclined google groups, mails, different social media channels as well as personal messages.

Taxonomic Coverages

Chordata
rank: phylum
Varanidae
rank: family
Reptilia
rank: class
Squamata
rank: order
Animalia
rank: kingdom

Geographic Coverages

The study was carried out all across the India.

Bibliographic Citations

Chatterjee A, Samrat C, Mandal P, Das M, William S, Majumdar A, Barman N, Basu Roy A, Barve V (2023). World Lizard Day 2022 : Monitor Lizard Count India. Version 1.6. Nature Mates-Nature Club. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/49tzb9 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-06-22. - https://www.gbif.org/

Contacts

C.S. Samrat
originator
position: Research intern
Nature Mates-Nature Club
6/7 Bijoygarh
Kolkata
700032
West Bengal
IN
email: cssamrat1997@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7492-1505

Priyanka Mandal
originator
position: Environmental Consultant
JB Envrio Consultants PVT. LTD.
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: mandalpriyankaofficial@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7767-1000

Mrittika Das
originator
position: Student
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Mehrauli
Delhi
IN
email: das.mrittika2001@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2572-8722

Rajashree Sain
originator
position: Student
Asutosh College
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: rajashreesain.rs@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1363-3237

Ritayan Mukherjee
originator
position: Student
Asutosh College
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: ritayan.mukherjii@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2631-5446

Anuska Das
originator
position: Student
Asutosh College
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: anuskadas2611@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5762-8451

Anindita Majumdar
originator
position: Faculty
Netaji Nagar College For Women
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: ani17in@gmail.com
homepage: https://naturematesindia.org/
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3165-0271

Arijit Chatterjee
originator
position: Faculty
Asutosh College
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: arijit.chatterjee@asutoshcollege.in
homepage: https://naturematesindia.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4035-4482

C.S. Samrat
metadata author
position: Research intern
Nature Mates-Nature Club
6/7 Bijoygarh
Kolkata
700032
West Bengal
IN
email: cssamrat1997@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7492-1505

Nandita Barman
metadata author
Nature Mates-Nature Club
6/7 Bijoygarh
Kolkata
700032
West Bengal
IN
email: barmannandita283@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6109-7633

Anindita Majumdar
metadata author
position: Faculty
Netaji Nagar College For Women
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: ani17in@gmail.com
homepage: https://naturematesindia.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3165-0271

Arijit Chatterjee
metadata author
position: Faculty
Asutosh College
email: arijit.chatterjee@asutoshcollege.in
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4035-4482

Arjan Basu Roy
metadata author
position: Secretary
Nature Mates-Nature Club
6/7 Bijoygarh
Kolkata
700032
West Bengal
IN
email: basuroyarjan@gmail.com
homepage: https://naturematesindia.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9872-3562

Vijay Barve
metadata author
position: Research advisor
Nature Mates-Nature Club
6/7 Bijoygarh
Kolkata
700032
West Bengal
IN
email: vijay.barve@gmail.com
homepage: https://naturematesindia.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4852-2567

Nandita Barman
user
email: barmannandita283@gmail.com

Arijit Chatterjee
administrative point of contact
position: Faculty
Asutosh College
Kolkata
West Bengal
IN
email: arijit.chatterjee@asutoshcollege.in
homepage: https://naturematesindia.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4035-4482

Arjan Basu Roy
administrative point of contact
position: Secretary
Nature Mates-Nature Club
6/7 Bijoygarh
Kolkata
700032
West Bengal
IN
Telephone: 9874357414
email: basuroyarjan@gmail.com
homepage: https://naturematesindia.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9872-3562