The Malayan Water Monitor, scientifically known as Varanus salvator, is a species of monitor lizard that belongs to the Varanidae family. These magnificent creatures are renowned for their impressive size, with adults reaching lengths of up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) and weighing around 70 pounds (32 kilograms). Their sleek bodies are adorned with striking scales, predominantly in shades of dark brown, black, and grey. Found throughout Southeast Asia, from Myanmar to the Philippines, they predominantly inhabit freshwater environments such as rivers, swamps, and mangroves.