asian water monitor varanus salvator

reptile animal wildlife lizard turtle snake amphibian tortoise frog serpent grass crocodile soil alligator 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 lived rural areas proximity lizards traditionally thai villagers two-story floor living ground space domestic pigs chickens dogs indonesian malay asian called biawak air prevalence simply referred sri lanka kabaragoya denoting subspecies distinct morphological features varanus salvator