Probably locally extinct, but there are still some sightings out near reservoirs and lakes, mainly from released or escaped individuals that have made their home here.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/618ad6_22c3e1e36265465f9a97753f9a192f2c~mv2_d_2139_1426_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/618ad6_22c3e1e36265465f9a97753f9a192f2c~mv2_d_2139_1426_s_2.jpg)
These Common Water Monitor Lizards are the only Varanids and the largest lizards we have in Hong Kong: they can grow up to 4m. The photo above is of a juvenile, which have finer and prettier markings. They eat large insects, crustaceans, birds and even small mammals, and they love carrion (dead animals) too.