1 Lira of Turkey 2015 UNC - Desert Monitor

The Desert Monitor (Varanus griseus) is a lizard belonging to the Varanidae family, also known as the Gray Monitor due to its typically gray coloration. It is found in North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and western South Asia, preferring arid environments like deserts and rocky plains. These reptiles have an elongated body, short legs, and a long tail. They are adapted to digging burrows to protect themselves from extreme temperatures. Desert Monitors are opportunistic predators, feeding on insects, small mammals, birds, and occasionally eggs. Their burrowing behavior and ability to adapt to challenging habitats make them intriguing subjects for scientific study. Reproduction involves egg-laying in burrows, with young monitors becoming independent after hatching.