Varanus bitatawa

About

Varanus bitatawa, also known as the Northern Sierra Madre forest monitor, is a large, frugivorous lizard species discovered in the Philippines. It can grow up to six feet in length and is characterized by its striking coloration, featuring a blue-black body with pale yellow-green dots and a tail marked in alternating black and green segments. This species is notable for being one of only three fruit-eating monitor lizards worldwide, along with Varanus olivaceus and Varanus mabitang. It primarily inhabits the Sierra Madre Forest on Luzon Island, where it spends most of its time in trees. Varanus bitatawa plays a crucial ecological role as a seed disperser, particularly for Pandanus and Canarium plants. Despite its size, it is relatively lightweight, weighing up to 10 kilograms. The species is closely related to Gray's monitor lizard but is genetically distinct. It is hunted by local communities for its meat, contributing to conservation concerns due to habitat loss and hunting pressures. Its discovery highlights the Philippines as a biodiversity hotspot, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect its habitat and other species in the region.