Nile Monitor - Varanus niloticus

 

Young Nile Monitors,  like this one,  are attractive little animals.  Unfortunately, they are a lizard  that is extremely difficult to manage.  Nile monitors are incredibly nervous animals and they grow to a length of between 1.5 - 1.8 meters.  Their claws, tail, and teeth are all used quite effectively for defense when threatened.   (Photo: Joshua V. Feltham)			This adult female ornate Nile monitor, is approximately 1.5 meters long and fully capable of destroying a man's hand in an instant.  In his book Monitor Lizards: Natural History, Biology, and Husbandry, Daniel Bennett states that "their purchase will have turned into an enormous, ferocious carnivore, quite capable of breaking the family cat's neck with a single snap and swallowing it whole."  (Photo: Brian Child)

General Information

 

Distribution — Ranges from South Africa north to Egypt.

 

Habitat — Hot and often dry habitats along the banks of streams and rivers. Very seldom found far from a body of water.

 

Adult Size — May grow as long as 2m (approx. 6 1/2 ft.) but adults are typically between 1.5 to 1.8m (5-6 ft.).

 

Temperament — Monitor lizards, in general, are known for being nervous and difficult animals to deal with. Nile monitors are no exception to the rule. They can and will inflict a nasty bite if they feel threatened.

 

Longevity — Nile Monitors are relatively long lived animals. They can live to be 20 - 25 years of age in captivity.

 

Captive Care

 

Rating: 5 — Due to this animal's unpredictable nature and large adult size, it is potentially dangerous. This species does not belong in the hands of anyone but the most experienced keeper.

 

Diet: Monitors typically eat anything they can get into their mouth. However, Nile Monitors enjoy snails, crabs, eggs (especially those stolen from Nile Crocodile nests), fish, and rodents.

 

Temperature: The daytime temperature should be between 85 and 95F and the nigh time temperature range should be between 79 and 82F.

 

Space: Due to their large adult size and very active nature, Nile Monitors need a great deal of space. One of these animals should have a room sized enclosure and a large pool of water to soak in.

 

Breeding: Nile Monitors typically lay between 6 and 30 eggs that hatch between 85 and 200 days after deposition.

 

Special Requirements: As mentioned above, these animals are very large as adults and live to be between 15 and 20 years old. Because monitors lizards can inflict a painful bite - even as juveniles, it is essential that they become used to human contact so that they can be managed safely. Thick leather gloves should also be worn to protect the hand from any potential injury.

 

Sources (Suggested Reading):

Balsai, Michael. 1997. General Care and Maintenance of Popular Monitors and Tegus. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc. Santee, CA. Pp. 170

Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1996. Monitors, Tegus, and Related Lizards: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 104.

Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1997. Lizard Care from A to Z. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 178.

Bennett, Daniel. 1998. Monitor Lizards: Natural History, Biology, and Husbandry. Warlich Druck, Meckenheim, Germany. Pp. 352.

De Lisle, Harold F. 1996. The Natural History of Monitor Lizards. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FLA. Pp. 201.

King, Dennis and Brian Green. 1993. Goanna: The Biology of the Varanid Lizards. New South Wales University Press, Kensington, Australia. Pp. 102.

 

 

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