The Malaysian monitor lizard is typically large, with a slender and forked tongue that is sensitive and serves as a guide for hunting prey and finding food.
These creatures can sometimes be seen moving slowly on land and even on tree trunks as they search for beetles, or other insects and nestling birds and eggs. However, you won’t be seeing them lying on a branch up a tree that is 20-30 feet high.
Photo via TikTok (@fire_fighter_forever)
Recently, a video went viral of Malaysian firefighters trying to catch a giant monitor lizard that was running loose at a grocery store in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
In the 32-second video that was shared on TikTok, the confused and scared-looking monitor lizard can be seen running away and hissing at the firefighters who were trying to catch it, while bystanders stood by and watch.
Netizens in the comment section jokingly said to leave the lizard alone as it was just there to buy some groceries, “I just want to know, who is playing Jumanji?”
While others pitied the scared creature and said there was actually no need to capture it and it could just be safely chased out of the building.
Many also pointed out that cities have become a new place for wildlife to find food like in trash, gardens, and inside buildings and homes, and have even learned special behaviors to help them survive in urban areas.
So, what can we do to make our cities more welcoming to wildlife?
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
