Sago monitor Sago monitor The sago monitor or torch monitor, Varanus obor, is a species of monitor lizards endemic to the Indonesian island of Sanana. "Varanus obor" is the only melanistic member of the Pacific monitor ("V. indicus") group, and the only species belonging to the subgenus "Euprepiosaurus", which has prominent red-orange markings on its body. Proportions of the body and the construction of scales most closely resemble "V. melinus", which can be found on the islands of Mangole and Taliabu. Most often, "V. obor" occurs in coastal sago palm swamps - a habitat that is underused by other species of the
Sago Lane for the hard beds occupied by the dying. According to Milwaukee Sentinel in 1957, “about 70 persons a month come to each of the houses to die in loneliness”. The death houses never closed their doors, workers took shifts by day and night and kept the business running 24/7. 1960s: The poor conditions of these houses of Sago lane soon attracted international attention. In 1961, the newly elected government quickly stepped in to place a ban on these houses. The death houses began to close down and number of houses dwindled. Existing death houses converted to funeral parlors instead. Sago