Typically they live in forests and mangrove swamps.
Water monitors use their ability to swim as a form of protection against predators. Sometimes they also climb trees to escape predators, like King cobras, and can even jump from trees into rivers for safety. Aquatic areas provide a perfect habitat to thrive in and find food!
Humans actually do not pose much of a threat to water monitors. In fact, water monitors usually are not bothered at all by the presence of humans! However, the destruction of water monitors' habitats does pose a threat to their survival. For most species on many islands, monitor lizards have no natural predators--they are at the top of the food chain. However, some venomous snakes have been known to threaten monitor lizards.
