Clouded Monitor

About the Clouded Monitor in Singapore

Last updated 3 June 2026

Relatively common and one of the three monitor lizard species in Singapore, the Clouded monitor (Varanus nebulosus) is closely related to the Malayan Water Monitor. Unlike the Malayan Water Monitor, it favours terrestrial environments such as scrublands and forests.

Identifying features

Check out some identifying features of the Clouded Monitor!

Like the Malayan Water Monitor, the Clouded Monitor lizard is brown in colour with yellow spots. They grow to a maximum length of 1.5m, though they rarely reach those lengths.

Habitat and ecology

Clouded Monitors are arboreal and terrestrial, preferring forested areas such as Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. They can also be commonly found digging through leaf litter looking for worms and other invertebrates.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the difference between the Clouded Monitor and the Malayan Water Monitor?

Although visually similar at first glance, the Clouded Monitor and Malayan Water Monitor have a few noticeable differences. The Clouded Monitor has its nostrils midway between the eyes and snout, while the Malayan Water Monitor’s nostrils are near the snout’s tip. The Clouded Monitor also tends to have shorter heads and more rounded tails. In terms of habitat, the Malayan Water Monitor is almost always found near water bodies such as ponds, lakes and canals, while the Clouded Monitor is found much more commonly in terrestrial habitats such as forests.