African spurred tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata
Nile monitor
Varanus niloticus
The Nile monitor is the largest lizard in Africa. Its prey varies according to its size and the hunting ground. Excellent swimmer thanks to its paddle tail and apnea of 30 min, it is also a formidable terrestrial hunter thanks to its robust legs. His favorite dish: crocodile eggs. He is gluttonous and will not disdain a carcass on occasion.
Habitat
Savannas, rainforests, swamps, always near water points
Feed
Fish, crustaceans, mammals, birds, lizards, insects, eggs
Classification
Class
Reptiles
Scientific Name
Varanus niloticus
Legal Status
Species globally not threatened
CITES: Appendices II (1975) / B (2019)
Some Figures
Weight
5 to 15 kg
Life Expectancy
10 to 15 years
Incubation
about 4.5 months
7 to 60 eggs
Discover Also
West african false gavial
Mecistops cataphractus
Common flat-tail gecko
Uroplatus fimbriatus
Parson’s chameleon
Calumma parsonii
Fire skink
Lepidothyris fernandi
Dwarf crocodile
Osteolaemus tetraspis