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Description |
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: This wide ranging Varanid is found from southeastern Iran, through south central Asia (ranging from Afghanistan in the north as far south as Sri Lanka) and eastwards throughout Southeast Asia, as far as Java and the Anambas Islands in Indonesia. However, in the last century, this species has been exterminated from parts of Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. Although there are some old specimens purportedly from Sumatra, no recent records seem to exist (e.g. Auffenberg 1994). This species has an upper limit of 1,500 m above sea level.
Countries occurrence:
Native:
Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Cambodia; China; India; Indonesia (Jawa, Sumatera); Iran, Islamic Republic of; Lao Peoples Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam
Additional data:
? Upper elevation limit (metres): 1500
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population: In some agricultural areas, this species has been found to be common (Auffenberg 1989). Density estimates varied greatly between different habitats in northern India and Pakistan, from an average of two individuals per km² recorded on the edge of a seasonally flooded evaporation basin in Rajasthan to just under 40 individuals on average per km² in marsh habitat in Pakistan (Auffenberg 1994). Various techniques were used to derive these estimates, so that the numbers are not directly comparable (Auffenberg 1994). Densities were also found to be relatively high in agricultural habitats, from around 14 to 30 individuals per km² (Auffenberg 1994). In the more arid parts of its range it probably occurs at reasonably low densities. Although present on Java, the species is reportedly very scarce and localized (S. Sweet pers. comm.).
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Additional data:
? Population severely fragmented: No
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology: This species is found in a variety of habitats, from desert areas to floodplains, scrubland to forests, at moderate elevations (Auffenberg 1994, Pianka 2004). It can also inhabit agricultural areas (Auffenberg 1994).
Systems: Terrestrial; Freshwater
Generation Length (years): 11
Use and Trade [top]
Use and Trade: This species is harvested for a number of uses: the skins are commercially valuable, the meat is eaten, and the fat is used in traditional medicine.
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s): This species is possibly threatened by habitat destruction, however, as it can utilize a wide range of habitat types this is not considered a major threat at this time. This species is indirectly affected by pesticides which reduce the food resource availability in agricultural areas. However, perhaps the greatest threat to this species is hunting as it is hunted commercially for its skin, and its meat is commonly eaten. The fat of this species is also used in traditional medicine. In Iran, it is killed by people who mistakenly consider it to be dangerous; it is not hunted for food or skins in that country.
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions: This species occurs in many protected areas across its extensive range and it is protected in a number of countries by national legislation because it is currently listed on Appendix I of CITES. Further research into the harvest levels, threats, trends and habitat status of this species is needed. The establishment and management of new protected areas where it is illegal to hunt this species should be carried out to provide a refuge from persecution.
Citation: Papenfuss, T., Shafiei Bafti, S., Sharifi, M., Bennett, D. & Sweet, S.S. 2010. Varanus bengalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T164579A5909661. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T164579A5909661.en. Downloaded on 13 February 2017.
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