Activity Budgets and Habitat Preference of Land Monitor, Thalagoya Varanus bengalensis in a Residential Area

Abstract

A study on habitat use and activity budget of the land monitor Varanus bengalensis was conducted from August 2004 to February 2005 inside the university premises of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Activity index of the land monitors was significantly high for the time period of 0900 to 1200 hrs (2.22±0.51). Activity patterns varied during the day but remained constant among months. Time spent on basking was highest between 0900 to 1200 hrs and foraging was highest between 1200 to 1500 hrs (p<0.05, x1=187. 332). Stones were used significantly more than the other habitat types for basking while wet grounds and dumping sites were used for foraging activities. There was a significant correlation between the individual count and the ambient temperature (P>O.05, Z=2.645). Walkers, sweepers, dogs and cats did not disturb the land monitors but vehicles disturbed them. Findings of the present study suggest that the best time for locating the land monitors are from 0900 to 1200 hrs and that providing suitable basking and foraging sites and making certain areas off lim its to vehicles will be helpful in increasing the land monitor populations in urban areas.