I. Rakhimov

The present study investigated the public attitudes toward monitor lizards in the human-dominated ecosystems of subtropical Bangladesh. In this regard, a total of 100 participants between the age of 15-65 were randomly selected from five different parts (20 participants from each part) of Bangladesh. Based on participants' opinion, Varanus bengalensis is mostly known (58±2.20) and Varanus salvator is the least known (22±3.48) species among three monitor lizard species found in Bangladesh. Surprisingly, most of the participants (77±0.50) mentioned that monitor lizards are snakes. Though all the monitor lizards found in Bangladesh are non-venomous, a significant proportion (63±1.53) of the participants believe that monitor lizards are venomous and can attack and bite people. The participants' viewpoint throughout the country regarding the above-mentioned issues, however, were somewhat similar (χ 2 test, p> 0.05). Despite their negative perception, most

The scavenging behavior of the Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) was studied in Jahangirnagar University campus, Bangladesh, from February to July 2010 by focal sampling method. The behavioral patterns that were observed are scavenging, moving, resting, conflicting, and others (escaping, hiding, etc). The Bengal Monitor spent most of the time in scavenging (43.23%) during its active periods while least time (5.28%) was spent in others (escaping, hiding, etc.). During the scavenging, the Bengal Monitor mainly fed on kitchen wastes like chicken feathers, eggshells, fish remains and vegetable remains. The highest (53.8%) scavenging activity was recorded in April and the lowest (27.4%) in February. The scavenging behavior of this species varied significantly across the different months and seasons, probably in response to the changes in temperature and rainfall.

The ecosystems of Bangladesh support three different monitor lizard's species (Varanus bengalensis, V. flavescens and V. salvator). But, these huge populations are in great threats from habitat loss and fragmentation point of view. Nonetheless, maximum research studies have not given clear insights into their population-level implications. There is an obvious need to explore the mechanisms that dispose activity patterns, abundance and distribution of monitor lizard. The primary objectives of this paper is to sum up the current research knowledge, information gaps and propose scientific approaches to give clear idea, efficient management and conservation of monitor lizard populations in ecosystems facing habitat loss and fragmentation. Most of the research study showed that due to habitat loss and fragmentation all of the Monitor lizards are facing continuous threats for surviving in their natural habitats. Habitat fragmentation decreases territory range and dispersal and increases mortality rates of the Monitor lizards. It's narrowing the genetic diversity and perhaps the production of infertile youths. The species also faces the high vulnerability to pathogens, invasive species, climate change, increased Ultraviolet-B exposure and environmental pollution. The ultimate result or impact of habitat loss and fragmentation is actually the total loss or extinction of wild fauna including monitor lizards from that particular habitat. So, proper conservation and management strategy could only save these important species from extinction.