Viral bayawaks in hug fest actually locked in 'combat'

Two monitor lizards, locally known as bayawak, went viral online after  they were mistaken to be in a warm embrace.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Friday, the video was taken at the University of the Philippines Visayas campus in Miagao, Iloilo, and even led many viewers to react with feelings of affection and envy.

However, according to herpetologist Dr. Arvin Diesmos, the display has a different meaning in the animal kingdom. 

“Hindi ito love ritual. Ito ay tinatawag na combat ritual na pareho sila na mga lalaki. Itong behavior naman na ito, it's a common behavior na ginagawa ng mga males na mga bayawak, nag-e-establish ng territory ‘pag sila ay merong pinoprotektahan na kanilang breeding area,” he said.

Per Kuya Kim, monitor lizards are known to be agile and fast movers on land, despite being recognized as one of the largest lizards on the planet.

They are also highly adept swimmers and can remain submerged underwater for several minutes.

These animals are typically found near bodies of water.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News