landbeastnovel Chapter 759 - 101: Spotted-Eye Monitor
Chapter 759 - 101: Spotted-Eye Monitor
Chen Wen also heard the lizard’s sound for the first time.But rather than a sound, it was more like a hissing noise from air quickly expelled from the mouth.
"Be careful, judging by the surroundings, the lizards here are most likely eye-spotted monitors."
Chen Wen cautioned Dennis.
The eye-spotted monitor, a top predator in Australia, is the fourth largest lizard in the world.
A mature male eye-spotted monitor can typically grow to about two meters, with an average weight of over twenty kilograms.
They look more slender compared to Komodo dragons, a physique that grants them very high running speed.
The eye-spotted monitor can reach sprint speeds up to forty kilometers per hour over short distances!
This is a nimble, highly aggressive lizard.
However, for humans, the eye-spotted monitor is not considered a particularly dangerous animal.
On one hand, they live far from human society; on the other hand, eye-spotted monitors actively avoid humans.
But exceptions exist.
Like the eye-spotted monitor Chen Wen and the others encountered.
"Drive it out, I can see clearly now, it’s an eye-spotted monitor!"
Dennis excitedly waved his arms.
For the locals of Australia, the eye-spotted monitor is a prized treasure for reptile enthusiasts.
Dennis had seen the eye-spotted monitor multiple times at a friend’s house, who is a fervent fan of the creature.
Therefore, he is very familiar with the characteristics of the eye-spotted monitor.
"Be careful not to let them bite you, these guys have saliva loaded with lots of bacteria and mild toxins!"
Dennis once again cautioned Chen Wen.
Chen Wen also became interested.
It was his first time seeing a live monitor lizard.
Chen Wen and Dennis blocked the escape route of the monitor, and then they waved their sticks; after a few seconds, a lizard nearly two meters long was forced out of the bushes.
"Goodness, this is an adult specimen!"
Dennis couldn’t help but say, "It’s my first time seeing such a big eye-spotted monitor in real life."
This eye-spotted monitor was just like its name.
Its skin was somewhat similar to the ground here, covered with white spots looking like eyes.
Chen Wen, watching the eye-spotted monitor flicking its tongue, also felt a bit thrilled.
Because this is a special animal with a bold character.
One must admit, this creature is indeed bold.
Most eye-spotted monitors would run as far as possible upon seeing humans.
Yet it dared to swagger boldly towards humans.
Initially, Chen Wen wanted to ask Dennis if eye-spotted monitors had diseases similar to rabies.
But upon seeing the lizard’s slightly shriveled belly and slender build, he immediately understood why it approached them.
"Judging by its belly and build, it should be an extremely hungry eye-spotted monitor."
Chen Wen whispered.
Dennis nodded.
He excitedly said, "Eye-spotted monitors are quite valuable; I heard from my friend that in the market, an adult eye-spotted monitor can sell for five figures, even six figures! US Dollar!"
Upon this topic, Chen Wen gave Dennis a peculiar look.
Dennis seemed to realize his slip of the tongue and hurried to explain, "I mean through legal breeding channels, and besides, this is my first time encountering an eye-spotted monitor in the wild."
No matter how he tried to cover it up, Dennis still felt somewhat uneasy.
This unease diluted the excitement of seeing a wild eye-spotted monitor.
Dennis pondered for a moment, then looked at Chen Wen, "How should we deal with it? First, I want to clarify, although there’s no regulation from the association, the government doesn’t encourage handling them, and their meat probably isn’t good to eat."
Chen Wen nodded, "Don’t kill it. They are important in the wild, maintaining balance by controlling the feral cat population here..."
Just as Chen Wen was speaking.
The eye-spotted monitor, seemingly fed up with being surrounded, bravely dashed out through the gap between Chen Wen and Hua Yun.
Since they had agreed not to kill the eye-spotted monitor, neither Chen Wen nor Hua Yun stopped it.
But what left the three of them dumbfounded was that after breaking out of the encirclement, the eye-spotted monitor didn’t flee but headed straight towards Adam.
With lightning speed!
"Whoa, it’s desperate with hunger!"
Chen Wen couldn’t help but say.
He glanced at the vibrant savannah, wondering how such a place could leave an eye-spotted monitor hungry.
This is a top predator capable of hunting, scavenging, burrowing, and immune to snake venom!
"Is it about to starve to death?"
Dennis was also bewildered.
It was his first time encountering such a situation too.
The three exchanged glances and quickly followed.
...
Reaching Adam’s side.
They were already in a standoff with the eye-spotted monitor.
Gazing at the nearby delicious prey, the eye-spotted monitor’s big mouth gaped open, with white saliva constantly streaming from its wide mouth.
"Goodness, what on earth is this? Going to such extremes for a bite to eat?"
Seeing the three return, Adam, who was wielding a stick to drive away the eye-spotted monitor, asked.
The three of them shook their heads.
The natural world is vast and full of wonders.
At this moment, the eye-spotted monitor performed another act that stunned them.
Seizing an unguarded moment from Adam, it lunged fiercely at him.
Adam quickly retreated to dodge, even raising the stick.
But the eye-spotted monitor made a sharp turn, instantly targeting the kangaroo innards that had been exposed.
Regardless of what it grabbed, the monitor yanked hard and retreated several meters with its prize.
"The kangaroo’s lung was taken away by more than half."
Dennis narrated promptly.
Chen Wen sighed deeply, "This guy, it’s on the verge of starving! Never mind, let it eat. It’s quite clever, knowing to scare Adam away and then strike to snatch the kangaroo lung."
Indeed clever, and quite daring too.
Hua Yun thought.
At this moment, she suddenly remembered something, "Chen Wen, aren’t you skilled at taming those intelligent animals? How about giving it a try?"
This suggestion brightened their eyes.
Although the eye-spotted monitor is a lizard, in a place like Australia, it stands as a top predator.
If it could truly be tamed, it would be of great assistance.
Hearing this, Chen Wen hesitated a bit.
Though the eye-spotted monitor could be beneficial, the upcoming journey to the Kimberley Plateau is not suitable for its survival.
Even if persuaded to join, it would have to be left at the second gathering point.
Therefore, after careful consideration, Chen Wen made a decision.
He planned to communicate with the eye-spotted monitor; if it was willing to accompany him, he’d follow the usual procedure and leave it temporarily at the Australian Association at the second oasis.
But if the eye-spotted monitor was unwilling to follow him, he’d leave it there, just like with the Western Black-crowned Long-armed Ape, only obtaining the entry.