Nile monitor

Can deliver a painful bite, tail lashes, and fierce scratches — definitely a reptile to respect!

Charles J. Sharp


Nile monitor

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Can deliver a painful bite, tail lashes, and fierce scratches — definitely a reptile to respect!

Population

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

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Angola
2019
Benin
2019
Botswana
2019
Burkina Faso
2019
Burundi
2019
Cameroon
2019
Central Af. Rep.
2019
Chad
2019
Congo-Brazzaville
2019
Côte D’ivoire
2019
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
2019
Egypt
2019
Eritrea
2019
Eswatini
2019
Ethiopia
2019
Gabon
2019
Gambia
2019
Ghana
2019
Guinea-Bissau
2019
Guinea
2019
Kenya
2019
Lesotho
2019
Liberia
2019
Malawi
2019
Mali
2019
Mauritania
2019
Mozambique
2019
Namibia
2019
Niger
2019
Nigeria
2019
Rwanda
2019
Senegal
2019
Sierra Leone
2019
Somalia
2019
South Africa
2019
South Sudan
2019
Sudan
2019
Tanzania
2019
Togo
2019
Uganda
2019
United States
2019
Introduced: Florida
Zambia
2019
Zimbabwe
2019

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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