One of Africa’s largest and most formidable lizards, known for its impressive size, fierce hunting skills, and incredible adaptability. Native to much of sub-Saharan Africa and commonly found along the Nile River and other major waterways, the Nile monitor thrives in rivers, lakes, marshes, and savanna landscapes. These lizards are highly aquatic but are also strong climbers and fast runners, making them among the most versatile reptiles on the continent.
Nile monitors have thick, muscular bodies, sharp claws, and strong, curved teeth that make them excellent predators. Their skin is usually dark gray to brown covered with yellowish spots or bands, helping them blend into the dappled light of riverbanks and forest edges. Their long, forked tongues and keen sense of smell, similar to snakes, allow them to track prey over long distances.
Nile monitors are carnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Their diet is incredibly varied and includes fish, amphibians, birds, eggs, small mammals, insects, reptiles, and even carrion. They are particularly notorious for raiding bird nests and crocodile nests, feasting on unguarded eggs and hatchlings. Their powerful jaws and sharp teeth allow them to consume tough prey, and their long claws help them dig up hidden food sources. If necessary, they will even scavenge from human settlements, making them successful survivors in changing environments.
Nile monitors are excellent swimmers. They can stay submerged for up to an hour, using their flattened tails to propel themselves through the water with powerful strokes. They often bask on riverbanks but will quickly dive into water if disturbed.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Egypt
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
United States
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
