Palawan water monitor


The Palawan water monitor, Varanus palawanensis, is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.

Taxonomy

V. palawanensis has enough differences to be considered a distinct species from the closely related S. salvator, V. marmoratus, and V. rasmusseni. V. palawanensis belongs to the subgenus Soterosaurus with these three species and several other species.

Distribution

V. palawanensis is found on the islands of Palawan, Busuanga, Calauit, Balabac, and Sibutu.