With just under two million live monitor lizards imported into the United States from [1981][1982][1983][1984][1985][1986][1987][1988][1989][1990] and probably close to that many more since 1990, it is clear that a need has long existed for an exhaustive book about monitors. Now, with at least eight new books available just about monitors, shouldn't varanophiles be satisfied? Not necessarily. All of the works available have contributed something, but none, including the book reviewed here, have proven to be the monitor book that leaves the others in the dust.
In spite of its shortcomings, The Natural History of Monitor Lizards, by Harold F. De Lisle, comes closer to being what herpers need than anything previously offered. The concept is good, it is timely, and Krieger Publishing Company produced an attractive volume. The contents include over 200 pages, 74 color plates, 46 figures, 17 tables, 29 range maps, two appendices, two indices, and a bibliography. The eight chapters mention most of the pertinent subjects: history, taxonomy and evolution, anatomy and physiology, ecology and behavior, captive management, conservation, taxonomy of extant species, and future research needs. Young or developing herpetologists will certainly be able to find sufficient fuel in this work to fire their interests. Unfortunately, many herpers who have been longing for an exhaustive, quality book on the genus Varanus may be disappointed.
We were disappointed with the first page of text in the book (Preface) and the mention of "full-spectrum lighting" and "heating stones" as if they were state-ofthe-art accessories critical to the well-being of captive varanids. In fact, so many novice pet owners are misled by advertising and pet shop sales staff into thinking that these items are essential to the health of their reptiles that the heat/light-related sick-herp telephone call load at this institution borders on overwhelming. Monitors do well with a fluorescent ultraviolet (UV) bulb and an incandescent light for heat. Many expensive "full-spectrum" bulbs provide little UV, and "hot rocks" are notorious for burning reptiles' tender ventral surfaces. We routinely recommend to people that they remove the "hot rocks" from their pet's enclosures.
Our disappointment grew as we read on. The introductory chapter is only three pages long and fails to comprehensively cover published literature or recent and ongoing research. On page 3, the statement is made that ". . . only one (V. acanthurus) had been raised and bred through more than one generation.