Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...why do monitors wipe their faces on the ground after eating?...even when there is no blood or anything on their faces?...

Its a great question, its really a good question that makes us look stupid. As we do not know why they do that.

they really do that too. In fact, many species do it far more then Savs. But Savs do it.

My misguided guess from watching thousands of montiors of many species is, they have some sort of sensory glands on their lips and face.

This gland detects things near the face as I also think their eyesight is very poor at seeing still objects up close. They are excellent at seeing moving objects up close. A trade off, I suppose. Also it is strongest in Mertens monitors, to a point of, they are very sensitive to metal objects. If they bite or touch certain metals, they react to that touch as if it shocks them. They immediately pull away and shake their heads as if it bothers them.

So yes, thats my theory. For sure, there is something to it. Good luck