Varanus (Varanus)
| Varanus (Varanus) Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| Argus monitor (left) with lace monitor (right) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Anguimorpha |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | Varanus Ouwens, 1912 |
| Species | |
Varanus, commonly known as true monitors, is one of the 11 subgenera of the genus Varanus. All of its species are found in the Australasian realm, among which are the world's largest lizards.
Within this subgenus, the monophyletic clade comprised V. panoptes, V. gouldii, V. rosenbergi, and V. spenceri are collectively known as sand monitors.