The Bengal monitor is a master of survival, myth, and illegal wildlife trafficking

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Widely distributed across Asia, the Bengal monitor is a resilient generalist that thrives in diverse habitats. While often misunderstood as dangerous or venomous, this large lizard plays a complex role in local folklore and ecosystems, even as it faces threats from habitat loss and a bizarre illegal trade.

The Bengal monitor, or Varanus bengalensis, is a widespread lizard found from Iran to Java. These reptiles are primarily terrestrial, though juveniles are often arboreal. They are generalists, consuming everything from beetles and scorpions to rats, squirrels, and even roosting bats. Their physiological adaptations are impressive; they possess spongy lungs for high metabolic activity and can remain submerged for at least 17 minutes. During lean times, they rely on fat deposits stored in their bodies and tails.

Despite their harmless nature, they are frequently the subject of superstition. In many regions, they are wrongly believed to be venomous, leading to persecution. Their body parts are also exploited for traditional medicine, with their fat used in folk remedies for rheumatism. Perhaps most bizarre is the illegal trade of their hemipenes, which are dried, dyed, and sold under the name 'Hatha Jodi'. Traffickers falsely market these as rare plant roots with tantric powers to bring wealth and power, with a pair fetching up to US$250.

Conservation efforts are complicated by these cultural pressures and habitat degradation. While the species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, populations are declining due to hunting and agricultural pollution, which reduces their prey availability. They are protected under Schedule I of India's Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 and Appendix I of CITES. Understanding their role as a generalist predator is vital, as they are not territorial and adapt their ranges seasonally based on food availability, often seeking out agricultural areas or river valleys.

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