{"id":58998,"date":"2019-11-09T09:14:04","date_gmt":"2019-11-09T01:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/besgroup.org\/?p=58998"},"modified":"2023-06-24T16:49:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-24T08:49:53","slug":"malayan-water-monitor-caught-a-red-eared-slider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besgroup.org\/2019\/11\/09\/malayan-water-monitor-caught-a-red-eared-slider\/","title":{"rendered":"Malayan Water Monitor caught a Red-eared Slider"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/p>\n Jkai Chan<\/strong>\u2019s images of the Malayan Water Monitor (Varanus salvator<\/em>) feeding on a turtle at Pandan River documents another food record for this lizard. Kelvin KP Lim<\/strong> of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum identified it as a possible large red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans<\/em>), the type commonly sold as pets in aquarium shops. This is an introduced species. <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This add on to the many food this lizard takes, that include Bighead Carp<\/a> (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis<\/em>), terrapin<\/a>, snake<\/a>, bird<\/a> and rodent<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Other possible prey include Muscovy Duck<\/a> (Cairina moschata<\/em>), Black Swan<\/a>, Purple Heron<\/a> (Ardea purpurea<\/em>) and Smooth Otter<\/a> (Lutrogale perspicillata<\/em>). <\/p>\n Originally seen only in rural canals, it is now found in large numbers in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve LINK<\/a> where they are a threat to nesting shorebirds LINK<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n These lizards have also invaded urban homes LINK<\/a> and schools LINK<\/a>. <\/p>\n