Chris Calle: Bosc's Monitor Lizard

Artist: Chris Calle
1961 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 2002
Image Size: 9 by 10.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 20 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

Also known as the African savanna monitor, Bosc's Monitor inhabits most of Africa south of the Sahara region. Identified by its thick, solid body, wide head and short neck and tail, this desert animal is gray-brown in color, with rows of circular, dark-edged yellow spots across its back. Its blue tongue is forked and its underparts and limbs are yellowish. This species is classified Varanus exantheniaticus, and although it prefers the flat grassland of the savanna, it has also adapted well to rocky deserts, open forests and woodlands. Bosc's Monitor feeds on small mammals, birds, snakes, toads, lizards and eggs. Many adults also consume large quantities of snails -- the monitor's blunt teeth and strong jaws help it to crack through the snail's hard shell. The weather is an important factor in the Bosc's Monitor's feeding habits. In the wet season (lasting about eight months) food is plentiful and the monitor feasts abundantly, but in the dry season it must live off its fat reserves. During the feasting period, the monitor can consume up to one tenth of its own body weight in a single day. This desert reptile is very aggressive when defending its territory and when cornered will hiss loudly, thrash its tail and prepare to strike. If these defiant tactics fail to deter the attacker, the monitor has been known to play dead. Bosc's Monitor is hunted for its skin and is a valued commodity in the pet trade.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the United Nations 0,90Fs Bosc's Monitor Lizard stamp issued April 4, 2002.

Artwork Copyright © 2002 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

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