It wasn’t cuddle weather that urged these lizards to hug

Natalie Andrea Ayo

They say love comes in many shapes or forms. It may be through the gentle words of affirmation, selfless acts of consideration, or even the silent understanding that does not require loud declarations. However, in the animal kingdom, the simple act of love in humans — the hug, may mean letting your territorial instincts manifest. 

In a recent viral video posted last September 23, 2025 on Facebook by the Philippine Star taken by Charlie Jagonos, two “bayawaks” or monitor lizards were seen to be “hugging” inside the grounds of the University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo.

But contrary to what netizens see to be a “kilig” and envious moment caught on camera, the two monitor lizards are in fact fighting, exhibiting these reptile’s unique behaviors.

PH’s endemic dragons

Monitor lizards — reptiles of the genus Varanus, are locally known as the bayawak. This long tailed lizard with an elongated face and neck often dubbed as a dragon is seen to have originated almost 90 million years ago in Northern Asia and has since expanded across various areas in Africa, Asia, and Australia.

To date, there are 82 different species of monitor lizards globally with 11 species currently endemic to the Philippines.

These reptiles are primarily carnivorous, scavenging insects, fish, small birds, and even carcasses for a meal. Using their powerful legs and strong sense of smell they are known to be active predators living in forests, mangrove swamps, and even man-made canals.

Not just a warm embrace

Contrary to what the public may see as a couple monitor lizards showing love and sharing warmth amidst the rainy weather, the two lizards in the video are actually both male and are both Western Visayas Water Monitor Lizards or Varanus nuchalis, locally known as “halo” in Cebuano.

The sight of monitor lizards on their hind legs engaging in a seemingly warm, close-knit hug isn’t a very rare sight to see in nature. It is actually their way of fighting for territory and a combat position, a wildlife scuffle to see who would be left unscathed, winning the battle of dominance over food and or territory.

In Thailand in 2022, a similar video of two monitor lizards engaging in their unusual fight for dominance on the streets caused traffic for almost 30 minutes and also left people amused. 

“I had to adjust to avoid them. I thought they were boyfriends and girlfriends at first but then someone told they were actually fighting,” driver Kot Thanatpan told Newsflare, Now This News.

According to people in the video’s comment section the sight of monitor lizards “hugging” is very common in the country.

Similarly in Singapore, a pair of monitor lizards in Ulu Pandan Park Connector in Clementi were reported fighting over who got to eat the remains of another dead monitor lizard, showing the reptile’s powerful predatorial behavior needed for survival.

Nature’s engineers

Behind the peculiar nature of these animals, the monitor lizard is also regarded as an “ecosystem engineer” (EE). 

In a study published in the journal Ecology by researchers at the University of South Florida, the researchers describe the reptiles as EEs as they possess the ability to alter, create, or maintain habitats which could directly and indirectly affect the availability of resources for other species.

EEs keep the ecosystem safe by maintaining biodiversity and keeping food webs in check. 

Reptiles are rarely classified as EEs. However, monitor lizards and their habit of burrowing for nesting their eggs trap leaves, viable seeds, and fruit under the ground which result in higher levels of mineralizable nitrogen and liable carbon than surface soil.

Additionally, the researchers found that the lizard’s burrow did not only serve as their home but also a hideout from predators of other smaller animals such as anthropods, snakes, toads, and other lizards.

Human-brought harm

However, many species of the monitor lizard are seen to face the issue of illegal trading through social media platforms and groups which harms ecosystem balance and may further lead to extinction or harm of certain species.

Among those illegally traded, the Marbled Water Monitor or Varanus marmoratus were seen to be the most commonly sold across social media platforms from September 2017 and February 2020.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the population of the Marbled Water Monitor has been vulnerable due to illegal pet trade, habitat loss, and the demand for exotic food.

Trading of these animals are often done for the use of their skin, as niche pets to collectors, and as “pulutan” or a snack during drinking sessions and celebrations in some localities around the country.

Traffic, an organization focusing on nature conservation and awareness reports that 541 monitor lizards across 13 different species have been listed for sale during a 30-month monitoring across 20 groups on Facebook in the country. 

Around 90% of these illegally traded lizards were hatchlings or juvenile animals. 

These lizards engaging in a hug may have sparked public envy yet it also demonstrates how in the animal kingdom, the battle for survival is distinct and definitely a sight to see. What seems like a warm embrace to man is an effort of survival to claim territory for these dragon-like lizards.