New Lizard Species Found in the Philippines

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Thought I'd share this. This was in local paper the other day. Scientists are raving about how "spectacular" the find was.

It belongs to the family of the large monitors which as far as I know aren't endangered. So what's so special about it? He's vegan, vain and apparently from one report, doubly-equipped (double penises)! It belongs to the only known species of monitor lizards that eat only fruits, maybe even snails, and is brightly colored unlike the regular dark grayish tones of other species.

When I was growing-up in the province in Central Luzon, sometimes we'd run into one. Like most truly "wild" reptiles, they stayed away from humans and settlements. My adventurous drunkard relatives who downed one say it really does taste like chicken! (not that I'm espousing eating one of course :rolleyes: ). Our aboriginal Aeta people caught them regularly, unfortunately sometimes not for consumption, but sell them to tourists who paid for them.

giant-lizard-afp-608.jpg


capt.e34c28ac2fc542d2812da5a52bfd297a-e34c28ac2fc542d2812da5a52bfd297a-0.jpg


More news here -

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_philippines_giant_lizard

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/sci-tech/06-new-species-of-giant-lizard-found-in-philippines-rs-02
 
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Looks like the monitors we have here in Singapore except for the bright coloration. I've tried monitor once in Thailand; the tail section. Tastes like chicken but the texture was different. Surprising what I can swallow when I'm determined not to offend the hospitality of my hosts. Barbecued over hot coals skin and all, once it looks charred they rip off the skin and ate it with a spicy dip with a serving of hot steamed rice.
 
Pretty cool looking critter.
It's hard to believe that scientists are still finding new species.
Central Luzon.
Vanda Luzonica, one of my favorite orchid species.
 
Loneriderz said:
Barbecued over hot coals skin and all, once it looks charred they rip off the skin and ate it with a spicy dip with a serving of hot steamed rice.
Click to expand...

Yep same here. The Aetas are real experts tracking and cooking 'em. Actually, imagining the way you described it makes my mouth water (well actually any meat over hot steaming rice and spicy dipping sauce is good :thumbup:).

Its also noted how strong their "grip" was when being dragged. A smaller species of lizard is called "tuko" and we have an old idiom that goes; "kapit tuko" (gripping or holding on like a tuko). Imagine how much stronger these bigger boys are.
 
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What a fantastic lizard. :thumbup:
If the lizard eats snails, it's not vegan.
 
Anything with two penises is spectacular! lol

All kidding aside, I think it's cool. At least it's still alive, and not extinct like so many critters that might be if "we" were not so destructive, encroaching, and abundant.

I'm not some anti-human animal nut...although, I do feel that a little thinning of our herd might do everyone and everything some good. 'Not saying that's morally right or wrong, just that if there weren't so many of us, maybe we could take better care of ourselves and all aspects of our environment.
 
What a great find! It is wonderful to know undiscovered herps are still right under our noses. We caught Monitors in Miami, the wild ones scratch like the dickens.
 
Lycosa said:
What a fantastic lizard. :thumbup:
If the lizard eats snails, it's not vegan.
Click to expand...

C_Kyle said:
Anything with two penises is spectacular! lol

All kidding aside, I think it's cool. At least it's still alive, and not extinct like so many critters that might be if "we" were not so destructive, encroaching, and abundant.

I'm not some anti-human animal nut...although, I do feel that a little thinning of our herd might do everyone and everything some good. 'Not saying that's morally right or wrong, just that if there weren't so many of us, maybe we could take better care of ourselves and all aspects of our environment.
Click to expand...

Yup, he's not a vegan, nor a vegetarian. Most lizards, maybe all of them, have two units. It's called a hemipenes. They use one or the other. Years ago I was an amatuer herpetologist. No that does not mean I know a lot about Herpes. Which I do anyway. ;) Stupid b!tch! And NO I do not have it. Thank GOD!
http://search.myway.com/search/redi...U7oTU4B42A1VOPDUKUgVdQgScq5GKkhKcd1HQ==&ct=AR
 
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Cool stuff. I always remember when that Komodo dragon took a bite at Steve Irwins Timberlands as he climbed the tree.The razor like teeth sliced right through as cleanly as a craft knife !!!!
 
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