Jerry: These are Sri Lankan Land Monitors, also known as Bengal monitors, and they are built for battle! Look at that muscular tail braced against the ground. It’s almost a full metre and it stores fat reserves too, keeping these opportunistic feeders fuelled when prey is scarce.

Jim: And they’re locking up! Forelimbs wrapped around each other, pushing upright on their hind legs. This should be no surprise folks, it’s April… and you know what that means! Breeding season! This is classic male combat behaviour during this time and these two are being ferociously aggressive to defend their territory and mating rights.

Jerry: That’s right Jim. Notice how they’re rising high to get leverage. These monitors can stand on their hind legs for a better view or to overpower a rival. It may look prehistoric, but it’s a display of strength rather than a fight to the death.

Jim: Oh! A twist and shove! Those rough scales are rubbing like sandpaper. In males, those scales even have tiny micropores that release secretions, possibly pheromones. This isn’t just about muscle, it’s chemistry!

Jerry: And look at that tongue flick from Stone Cold! Forked like a snake’s, constantly sampling the air. It’s all about sensing his opponent. His slit-like nostrils can even close to keep out debris during the scuffle.

Jim: These warriors are diurnal, so they’ve been active from early morning, basking in the sun to fire up that high metabolic engine. On top of that, the spongy tissue in their lungs is very efficient for gas exchange, giving them stamina for a long showdown like this!

Jerry: They’re powerful climbers and strong swimmers too. Did you know they prefer forest habitats over farmland, and that they’ll use burrows, rock crevices, even abandoned termite mounds for shelter?

Jim: Yes I did know that Jerry and here’s a fact for you. Did YOU know, they have venom glands that they can use in attacks? OHHH! Big bite attempt there! They’ve got rows of laterally compressed teeth,which are constantly replaced throughout the year and Hulk just tried to use them to take a chunk out of Austin!

Jerry: Despite the drama we’re witnessing in the ring, these reptiles are usually shy and can spot human movement from nearly 250 metres away. Today’s ringside audience has witnessed something truly rare.

Jim: And there it is! The separation! Just like that, it’s over. No knockout, just dominance established. In the wilds of Wilpattu, the belt isn’t gold, it’s territory.

Jerry: What a spectacle. Not just a clash of titans, but a masterclass in monitor biology. From forest floor to safari track, these ancient athletes remind us that nature always delivers the main event!

This rare moment was captured by Thilina Priyanga, a Mahoora naturalist, during a morning safari in Wilpattu National Park. Two large monitor lizards emerged onto the track and engaged in an intense bout of combat that lasted nearly 30 minutes before disappearing back into the forest. Owing to its close proximity to the Park’s border, guests at Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Wilpattu have a great opportunity to experience such unpredictable moments of wildlife, both within the camp’s surroundings and on nearby safari drives.