An incredible video shot was taken in Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, in which a fight took place between a flock of red wattled lapwings and a Bengal monitor lizard.
The skirmish between the two creatures was recorded in Ranthambore National Park. This incredible video of a battle between a Bengal Monitor lizard and birds red wattled lapwings shot by renowned photographer Shadanaka Nanda in Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan shows a completely different picture. It shows that right now some creatures can collide with any great force or predator for their safety.
Photographer Shashank Nanda shared shocking footage of the skirmish between two creatures recorded in Ranthambore National Park via Facebook. In this viral video, you can see that a Bengal monitor lizard which is very heavy and intimidating moves towards the eggs laid by the red wattled lapwings.
An incredible sight in Ranthambore
Video Credit: Shashanka Nanda
Initially, the monitor lizard moves towards the eggs of the lapwing bird, then seeing it, the bird retreats in a hurry. It is obviously frightening to see a large and powerful opponent from them, as the monitor lizard challenges the bird Red Wattled lapwing. Then, this bird gives an alarm call to its other companions. Hearing this, one of the Lapwing companions arrives at the scene to assess the situation and then they constantly give alarm calls. It goes back to call for more help. She tries to scare him by spreading her wings and challenges him. As the monitor lizard tries to make Lapwing's eggs its food, the entire flock of Lapwing blocks its path.
Another lapwing joins the fight but not for long, then, these birds move towards the monitor lizard in the group, and attack it with their beak. In the video it looks like these birds are bombarding the monitor lizard. Surprised by this unexpected display of resistance, the Bengal monitor lizard runs away.
There is no doubt that when Shadanaka Nanda shared it on the "Indian Birds Facebook page", the video drew a lot of reactions from Facebook users. One of them said it was "just great to witness", while another praised the timing of the video, saying it was "a spectacular capture of natural history".
What do you think of the video? Write your opinion in the comments box below.
Brief information about Bengal Monitor Lizard
Bengal Monitor whose scientific name is Varanus bengalensis. It is a common Indian monitor or a monitor lizard that is widely found in the Indian subcontinent, as well as parts of Southeast Asia and West Asia. Species of this monitor lizard are among the most widely distributed lizards, from Iran to Java.
This monitor lizard is mainly terrestrial, and its length is approximately 61 to 175 cm from the tip of the muzzle to the end of the tail. The male Bengal monitor lizard weighs about 10.2 kg, which is about 42% more than the females.
Bengal monitors generally prefer to live in solitude and are usually found on the ground, while young monitors can often be seen on trees. Bengal monitors live on land, shelter in burrows, while some of them live in tree hollows.
The Bengal monitor lizard is known as a carnivore. And whatever comes within their reach, they consume. Some of their common prey includes insects, small reptiles, small mammals, eggs, and annelids. Despite being a predator, they themselves fall prey to larger animals, such as pythons, wild dogs, and wild cats. Bengal monitors are also scavengers. They also sometimes depend on dead animals.
Brief information about Red Wattled Lapwing
The scientific name of red-walled lapwing is Vanellus indicus. Red-walled lapwing is also known as an Asian lapwing or large plover which is a wader in the family Charadriidae.
Red Wattled Lapwing breeds in India as well as other countries in South Asia. Apart from India, these birds are found in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. In South Asia, the entire Indian subcontinent, up to Balochistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kanyakumari and is found in Kashmir and Nepal.
Red-wattled lapwings are large waders. It measures 30–35 cm in length and weighs 110–230 grams. Male and female are equal in plumage but males have 5% more and longer wings than females and have a longer carpal spur. Whenever there are any human or animal movements around them, they make specific loud alarm calls. The sounds of this bird are variously rendered as "did he do it or pity to do it"
This bird is usually seen around the water in pairs or small groups. These birds nest on the ground with small pebbles. They lay three to four camouflaged eggs. Often adults fly around the nest and when any predator comes around, they dive on it. This bird mainly breeds between March and August.
Red -Wattled Lapwing's diet includes insects, snails, termites and other invertebrates, mostly found in the ground. Other components of their diet include grains, seeds and plants etc. They are known to use their strong legs to scratch the ground to take out prey from the ground and underwater. They sometimes use feet to disturb insect prey with soft soil.
Brief information about Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is located in Sawai Madhopur district of southeast Rajasthan at a distance of about 180 km from Jaipur. Ranthambore National Park covers an area of about 392 sq km, which is surrounded by other sanctuaries like Mansingh Sanctuary and Kaila Devi Sanctuary. It is the largest national park in northern India and one of the major wildlife tourist destinations in India.
Although the tiger is the main attraction inside the Ranthambore National Park but with its rich flora and fauna, various species of animals and birds and unique forest it is a home for many wildlife lovers and photographers. Apart from tigers, other wild animals in Ranthambore include Leopard, jackal, hyena, mongoose, Caracal and sloth bear.
During the jungle safari at Ranthambore you can enjoy the sightings of spotted deer, sambar deer, blue bull and langur wandering among the rich flora consisting of banyan and Dhonk trees. Ranthambore National Park is known as the best tiger sighting place in India. Ranthambore is also home to a wonderful variety of birds. About 272 species of birds have been recorded in Ranthambore.
There are many good and different places to see avifauna inside the park, these places include Ranthambore Fort, Padam Lake, Jhalra area, Malik Lake, kachida and Rajbagh Lake etc. Ranthambore also has a fort which is considered to be the second attraction after National Park. The fort dates back to the 10th century, giving an enigmatic aura to Ranthambhore National Park with abandoned settlements, ruins and cenotaphs. The Jungle Safari in Ranthambore National Park is exciting and thrills you in every sense. During the jungle safari, one can enjoy the open meadows of the forest area and the remains of ancient monuments built within the park.