There are 2 types of monitor lizards in Sri Lanka. The more common land Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis) and the Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator).
The water monitor lizard, scientifically known as Varanus salvator, is a formidable reptile that can be found throughout Southeast Asia, including the lush landscapes of Sri Lanka. These are the largest lizards on Earth. They can grow 10 feet long.
The common land Monitor is normally found in the hot lowland country of Sri Lanka. It is rarely seen in parts of the country over 500 meters above sea level because it is too cold for them. They have adapted to surviving in lots of different habitats ranging for jungle rain forests to desert scrub.
The local farmers encourage monitors to wander around their fields as they eat vermin. These lizards munch on small invertebrates, bats, mice, ants, fruit, frogs, spiders, scorpions, beetles, and grub. These lizards can weigh over 10 kilograms and reach 5 feet. They are among the largest lizards in the world.
Its tongue is forked and purple in color. Monitors have odor particle detector sensors at the end of each tip that helps them find their next meal.
The tongue brings these particles back into its mouth where another sensory organ, named the Jacobson organ, can gauge the different strengths on each forked tongue tip and can then work out which direction to go. In Sri Lanka the Land Monitor Lizard is listed as 'commercially threatened' because they are considered 'bush meat' They are hunted to provide meat that is sold to local people.
In Sri Lanka, the meat of the monitor lizard (thalagoya) is considered a delicacy.
When senior citizens saw a thalagoya (monitor) they immediately it with stones and sticks which they picked up on the roadside.
After killing the monitor, two seniors returned to the kitchen carrying the carcass and handed it over to the chief cook. That night, they made monitor (thalagoya) curry.
It was an unwritten rule that the person who threw the stone to kill the monitor should be honored. The cooked tongue of the monitor was put into a hollowed out ripe banana is presented to the ‘killer’. It is believed that the tongue of the monitor lizard cures stuttering and asthma.
While traveling by bus, the drivers used to stop the vehicle at a roadside eatery for lunch. The waiter, would ask in a low voice if they would like to taste the monitor thalagoya curry.