巨蜥非常聪明,一些物种甚至可以数数。[6]在圣地亚哥动物园,一项研究将不同数目的蜗牛喂给非洲巨蜥,发现它们可以数数到六。[6][7]尼罗河巨蜥是会合作觅食:一只巨蜥会引开母鳄鱼离开巢穴,其他的则进入吃鳄鱼蛋。[6]作为饵诱的巨蜥之后会回来一同吃蛋。[6][7]在华盛顿史密森尼国家动物园(Smithsonian National Zoological Park)的科莫多龙可以辨认出动物园管理员,且似乎也有不同的性格。[7]
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