Origin
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is also known as the Nile Varan, because it lives only in the Nile Valley, in Africa, south of the Sahara.
It can be seen on hills, open spaces, in trees, near termite Burrows.
In the evening it finds shelter in dens abandoned by other animals, in hollows, rock crevices or in sandy soil. In cold periods, they hibernate with other specimens in common barlogs.
It belongs to the order Squamata and the family Varanidae.
Nile monitor feed
Its favorite food consists of mollusks, carps, snails, amphibians, frogs, birds, crocodile eggs, insects and starlings.
He sometimes consumes venomous snakes, being immune to their venom.
Food is slowly pushed into the throat, then swallowed, reaching the expandable intestines.
Features Nile Monitor
It has a muscular body, 1.4-2 m long, with strong jaws and legs. The head is long and the neck well differentiated.
He has five toes on each foot, with hard, sharp claws that help him climb, dig and break prey. The tongue is bifurcated and the olfactory sense very well developed. Its tail is long, like a whip, used for swimming, but also for self-defense.
Adult specimens have a gray-brown coloration with yellow bands on the head, legs, back and tail. The ventral side is light in color.
The Nile Monitor is used to sitting in the sun on stones near the water or on tree stumps. Never get too far from the water, so you can take refuge there in case of danger.
His biggest enemies are crocodiles and pythons. When in danger, it uses its claws, teeth and tail to defend itself.
The Nile Monitor is a very good climber and swimmer, he manages to stay under water without problems for even an hour, because he has the ability to store in his lungs a large volume of air with the help of two cavities for air reserves, located at the top of the muzzle. In general, he avoids the man and does not attack him if his path is cut by him.
Breeding Nile Monitor
Reproduction in this species is oviparous, the female lays 20-60 eggs in termites.
After hatching, the chicks have a length that varies between 16-30 cm.
After the rain softens the ground, the Cubs make their way out of the burrow.
