5.3K views · 242 reactions |  What’s that rustle in the trees behind the Reptile Discovery Center? Look up, or you may miss the Zoo’s stealthy male crocodile monitor hiding among the branches! 年 Get the scoop on this cool cold-blooded giant from assistant curator Matt Evans. ✏️Q+A: https://s.si.edu/36u4gPp. | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Facebook

173K views · 2.7K reactions | Today we’re putting the big Crocodile Monitors (Varanus salvadorii) back outside. It’s not a big event here as easy to move simply by pu the lizard. Bill is about 8.5’ long now and weighs about 40lbs.!!! He’s like a dog with scales. | Tom Crutchfield | Facebook

Crocodile Monitor’s (Varanus salvadorii) are courting a lot today. Oddly what I always see is the female circling the male with this species. Personally I’ve never seen this behavior with any other varanid. Also, in this case, the female is acting more like a male grabbing and trying to wrestle with Bill. Elvira is a female salvadori.! | Tom Crutchfield