An important illustrated book on the various species of monitor lizards, a group of reptiles that can be legitimately described as living dragons. This group of lizards includes the real monsters, the famed carnivorous (and even occasionally man-eating) Komodo dragons from Indonesia, lizards that are true giants. Add to these a further range of almost equally large monitors from Asia, Australia, and Africa, some dwarfs (Odatria) from Australia, the rare and little-known earless monitor (Lanthanotus) from Borneo, their poisonous relatives gila monster and beaded lizards) of North America), and one has a fantastic study of an important family of creatures. With 36 excellent color photos and other illustrations this book examines their evolution, habitats, lifestyles, biology, and the need for their conservation.