Water Monitor, Mangrove Safari, Bentota, Sri Lanka

The Avani Bentota Beach Resort & Spa organised a Mangrove Safari for me and my family. A tuk tuk collected us from the hotel and took us to the nearby boathouse. Within five minutes boating time is a nice stretch of mangrove. We entered through a rivulet into an area of deep shade surrounded by a complex of aerial roots which mangroves use for breathing as their roots are submerged in water. In the shallows I could see a few species of fish. In the gloom we observed a brilliantly blue Common Kingfisher patiently studying its prey. On the river we came across a few Water Monitors. These are amongst the largest reptiles in the world.

Resting in the shade was this young Water Monitor.