Varanus (Philippinosaurus) Explained

Philippinosaurus is one of the 11 subgenera of the genus Varanus. The group consists of three frugivorous species endemic to the Philippines.^[1]

Feeding habits

Unlike other members of the Varanus genus, species belonging to Philippinosaurus are frugivorous. While V. bitatawa and V. olivaceus also supplement their diet of fruit with insects and snails, V. mabitang feeds exclusively on fruit. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Species	Picture
Northern Sierra Madre forest monitor (V. bitatawa)
Panay monitor (V. mabitang)
Gray's monitor (V. olivaceus)

Notes and References

1. An Annotated Bibliography of Captive Reproduction in Monitor Lizards (Varanidae: Varanus). Part II. Empagusia and Philippinosaurus ROBERT W. MENDYK Biawak, 11(1), pp. 40–49, 2017 by International Varanid Interest Group
2. Auffenberg W 1988. Gray’s Monitor Lizard. Univ. Florida Press, Gainesville
3. The Arboreal Foraging Behavior of the FrugivorousMonitor Lizard Varanus olivaceus on Polillo Island, DANIEL BENNETT, Biawak, 8(1), pp. 15-18, 2014 by International Varanid Interest Group
4. Law . Stephanie . July 2018 . Diet and Habitat Requirements of the Philippine Endemic Frugivorous Monitor Lizard Varanus bitatawa . Biawak . 12 . 1 . 12-22.