The cover features an image of a Water Monitor, Varanus salvator, that was photographed by Chan Kin Onn in Perlis, Malaysia. Highly intelligent and opportunistic, this species is both a predator and scavenger, feeding on fish, amphibians, birds, small mammals, and carrion. While populations remain stable in many areas, the species faces pressures from habitat loss and illegal trade for its skin, meat, and use in traditional medicine in some regions. Their adaptability, high reproductive rate, and generalist diet have allowed them to become one of the most successful monitor lizard species in the wild.
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