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Malayan Water Monitor attacked a Smooth Otter pup

on 18th July 2019

“A group of almost 20 Smooth Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) with pups were enjoying themselves catching fishes and feeding. Suddenly, there was a huge splash and one otter pup was caught by a huge Malayan Monitor (Varanus salvator). It was dragged to the shore screaming.

“Immediately, the mother otter sprang forth and attacked the monitor lizard. A bite to its neck cause so much pain that it released the pup. Other otters in the group also came to the aid of the mother and chased the monitor lizard up the tree. The pup which was bitten seem OK and re-joined the group.”

The Malayan Water Monitor is a fierce predator, known to attack a python, a rodent and turtles and young crocodiles.

The Smooth Otter is another fierce predator. Although it feeds mainly on fish, is also prey on small mammals. Tay Yew Nguan noted that although “otters are ferocious predator themselves. They have no known predators here in Singapore until now.”

Dr Lee Van Hien with Tay Yew Nguan
Singapore
15th July 2019

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

4 Responses

  1. Hi there,
    A small but important error that we would like to point out: monitor lizards are not predators but scavengers. As scavengers they only give way to opportunistic food. Like taking little ones of all sorts and injured animals that are not likely to fight back much.

  2. I disagree with the statement [by Winnifred & Joe] and am of the opinion that monitor lizards can and will function as predator and scavenger whenever the opportunity arises. So the definition of a predator is one that will capture and consume a live prey, weak or otherwise. A scavenger is one that feeds on a dead or even decomposing animal. I hope this helps to clarify the fundamental ecological definitions, so everyone is aware of the differences.

    So monitor lizards are very adaptable in this regard, which explains why they are so successful and diverse till this day.

  3. I agree with Dr Leong. i have always liked monitor lizards and have had some as pets when it was legal to do so, Also, they are relatively common where I live, and they do recognise schedules and come for food. They are extremely opportunistic, and will eat whatever is available, alive or dead. If something small enough gets too close, they will eat it alive.
    Yet, surprisingly, the Malayan Water Monitor becomes very tame, recognises the keeper, and can be handled easily. Just make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly before approaching one and that there are no traces of food anywhere on you, otherwise it will think that you are edible too.

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