Monitor lizards are large reptiles belonging to the genus Varanus, and they are known for their intelligence, agility, and keen hunting skills. These lizards are found primarily in Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with some species, like the Nile monitor, adapting to different habitats from rivers to arid regions. Their sizes vary widely, from the small eight-inch Dampier Peninsula monitor to the giant Komodo dragon, which can reach up to 10 feet in length. Monitor lizards are carnivorous, preying on insects, birds, small mammals, and sometimes even carrion. They have powerful limbs and tails, strong claws for climbing or digging, and long, forked tongues similar to those of snakes, which they use for scent detection. Known for their intelligence, some monitor species have displayed problem-solving skills, making them unique among reptiles.