The rock monitor has a long fleshy tongue, very extensible and protractile. Like that of snakes, it can fit in a sheath. Its anterior part, deeply divided, is covered with a thin and horny epidermis. The tip of each point has on its underside a hard blade acting as a sort of nail. It is, in fact, rather a tactile than a tasting organ. It helps the reptile to identify odors and to detect preys. Rock monitors are mainly carnivorous and preferably look for live prey : small rodents, birds, lizards, small snakes, worms and insects. They also feed on eggs that they gobble thanks to their extremely flexible tongue. The hunting varan advances its head abruptly and snatches its prey.