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Nile Monitor Lizard
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- Order: Squamata (scaled reptiles)
- Suborder: Lacertilia (=Sauria) (lizards)
- Family: Varanidae (monitor lizards)
- Genus: Varanus (monitor lizards)
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| Also known as: water
monitor |
Scientific Name: Varanus niloticus
(Linnaeus, 1766) |
| Habitat: A variety of
habitats throughout Africa. This one was near a waterhole
surrounded by thorny acacia trees. |
niloticus="of the Nile River"
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| Length: Reportedly attains
around 6 feet total. |
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| Food: Just about
anything it can fit in its mouth, including insects, arachnids,
other lizards, birds, eggs, and small mammals. |
Range: Throughout Africa excluding
desert regions.
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I observed this lizard on a fairly cool (about 60
degrees Fahrenheit) day. It was climbing up the bank, away
from the waterhole. The picture is a still from my video
camera. |
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