Asian water monitor varanus salvator cover photo - 219104735

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In Thailand, the local word for a water monitor, is used as an insulting word for bad and evil things, including bad persons. The word is also thought to bring bad luck, so some people prefer to call the animals 'silver-and-gold' to avoid the jinx. The origin of this offensive meaning can be traced back to a time when more people lived in rural areas in close proximity to monitor lizards. Traditionally, Thai villagers lived in two-story houses the top floor was for living, while the ground floor was designed to be a space for domestic animals such as pigs, chickens, and dogs.In Indonesian and Malay, the Asian water monitor is called biawak air, although due to its prevalence it is simply referred to as biawak.The local name in Sri Lanka is kabaragoya, denoting a subspecies with distinct morphological features.

reptile animal wildlife lizard turtle snake tortoise amphibian serpent frog crocodile grass alligator soil toad thailand local word water monitor used insulting bad evil including persons thought bring luck people prefer call animals silver gold avoid jinx origin offensive meaning traced back lived rural proximity lizards traditionally thai villagers two story houses floor living ground designed space domestic pigs chickens dogs indonesian malay asian called biawak air prevalence simply referred biawak name sri lanka kabaragoya denoting subspecies distinct morphological