6903. How to photograph a swimming Malayan water monitor?

 The Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a strong and agile swimmer.

Canon R5, tripod. 300mm, 1/100 sec, f/8, ISO 100, shutter priority. 

 

 Create a video prompt. Vertical 9:16. 

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH A SWIMMING MALAYAN WATER MONITOR?  

28 September 2026. 10 am. Seletar Simpang Kiri River (image) with a  Malayan Water Monitor swimming. 

Grandpa David Sing, Chinese, 76 years, tall, broad shouldered, bespectacled, grey hair, beige polo shirt, black long pants, black shoes, Canon R5 camera with zoom lens photographs a Malayan Water Monitor lizard (image) swimming in the river to his right, at a distance from the river bank.

 Yaya, 7 years old, Chinese girl, double pleated hair, wears floral polo tee, dark brown pants, white shoes in the RIVER BANK AREA (image) with grandpa for wildlife photography.

 Yaya: "Grandpa, how do you photograph a swimming Malayan Water Monitor?"

Grandpa David: "I put my Canon R5 camera on a tripod and use shutter priority, auto ISO to video this swimming lizard".

TEXT OVERLAY: 

Swimming Abilities

Strong Swimmers: It uses its long, powerful tail to move through the water just like a crocodile. When swimming, it tuck its legs against its sides to cut down on drag. 
Breathing Underwater: Its nostrils are placed high up near the tip of its snouts, enabling it to breathe easily while staying mostly submerged. 
Long Dives: It can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes at a time to hunt for fish, crabs, and frogs. 
Fresh and Saltwater: It is comfortable in rivers, lakes, canals, mangroves, and can even swim far out into the ocean. 

 

 

----------------------- 

 SINGAPORE - 28 SEP 2026: 10.18am. The Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a strong and agile swimmer. It uses its long, laterally compressed tail with a raised dorsal ridge as a paddle to steer effectively through water. Its nostrils are located near the very tip of the snout, acting like a natural snorkel enabling it to breathe easily while remaining low in the water or submerged. Can stay completely underwater for up to 30 minutes to hunt or escape predators. Comfortable in both freshwater rivers and saltwater, and have even been spotted swimming far out into the open ocean. 

Yes, the Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a strong and agile swimmer. 

Key Swimming Adaptations and Abilities

Tail Steering: They use their long, laterally compressed tail with a raised dorsal ridge as a paddle to steer effectively through water. 
Nostril Position: Their nostrils are located near the very tip of their snout, acting like a natural snorkel so they can breathe easily while remaining low in the water or submerged. 
Submersion Time: They can stay completely underwater for up to 30 minutes to hunt or escape predators.
Habitat Range: They are comfortable in both freshwater rivers and saltwater, and have even been spotted swimming far out into the open ocean