Activity budgets and dietary investigations of <em>Varanus salvator</em> (Reptilia: Varanidae) in Karamjal ecotourism spot of Bangladesh Sundarbans mangrove forest

Abstract

Tropical mangrove forest ecosystem of Sundarbans is considered as the most potential habitat for Varanus salvator in Bangladesh. The study was conducted to understand the general ecology and behavior of V. salvator, to assess its activity patterns and feeding ecology in and around Karamjal ecotourism spot of Bangladesh Sundarbans. The activities of water monitor were more frequently seen during 0900 – 1200 hrs, and 1530 – 1700 hrs of the day. The proportion of time spent on different behavioral states by the water monitors varied significantly between the wet and dry seasons. It was found that adult water monitors spent a highest proportion of time in foraging activity during the rainy or wet season, whereas during winter they spent most of the time basking. During this study, their diet was mostly crabs, although they also showed their character as scavengers. Since V. salvator is an ectothermic species, the influence of environmental variables upon its activities in different habitats either in summer or in winter, should not be ignored