Hard-shelled mollusks are a conspicuous feature of Nile monitors' diets and a thickened skull, blunt crushing teeth, and bowed lower jaw make them well-equipped for breaking open thick shells. They love basking, so make sure to equip your housing with a basking area; exposing their skin to light also aids in digestion, and it helps the skin look healthy. Nile monitor lizard has a very aggressive nature, and has a strong bite its tail, so it is very dangerous. Sprawls, S., K. Howell, R. Drewes, J. Ashe. and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Within the eggs the embryos are coiled with the snout being forced against the shell wall, ready to rupture the integument and emerge. It is not advisable to feed them with prey that they eat in the wild like mites or rats because when they are placed in the tank where your pet is, they might be hiding somewhere and when getting a chance, bite or attack your Nile Monitor but to avoid this, you can give them pre-killed rodents instead. 1996. Buffrenil, V., G. Hemery. At almost 60 eggs per clutch, this Nile Monitor has the largest clutch size among the lizard family. If cornered, these lizards will inflate the throat and hiss loudly, raise themselves up high, stiff-legged and lash with their tails to threaten the attacker. Varanus niloticus breeds once annually, with the season starting in June and ending in October range-wide. Their lifestyle is both terrestrial and aquatic and they are both superb climbers and swimmers which allows for great adaptability to different environments. breeding is confined to a particular season, reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female. This species is not yet threatened globally (according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature) because the species of this monitor is still widely distributed to different countries where they can have a habitat that is suitable for them to reproduce. They do not make good pets but are hardy nonetheless. Rivers, water bodies; all over Africa except the northwest. The tails of a Nile Monitor may grow up to the meter. They can adjust easily to an environment as long as there are water and land source. Classification, To cite this page: As a last resort a cornered Nile monitor will bite savagely and eject foul-smelling matter from the cloaca to deter attack or throw off a pursuer. After a few weeks, you may feed them through the use of thongs, make sure not to do sudden movements that may frighten them. Many teeth have two grooves that conduct the venom, a nerve poison, from glands in the lower jaw. Obesity can be an issue in adults who don't get enough exercise though sobe careful you are not overfeeding your monitor. Your pet can be more aggressive by way of writhing, biting, and defecating. Buffrenil (1992) considered that, when fighting for its life, a Nile Monitor was a more dangerous adversary than a crocodile of a similar size. They may occasionally work in pairs to rob a crocodile nest, with one lizard distracting the guarding mother crocodile while the other races in to grab eggs. They may not be prone to parasitic infections, but they suffer from constipation due to impaction because sometimes they tend to eat unnecessary things that cant be digested, such as sand and garbage. While holding an adversary in its jaws, a Nile monitor can cause severe injuries with its claws. When they hatch, their baby monitor is tiny versions of their Nile monitor parents. They can reach over 3.5 meters long (9 ft), which crowns them as one of the largest types of Lizard in Africa. There are some places wherein taking good care of this type of reptile is not common that is why having knowledge if it is legal to own a Nile monitor where you live and if there is an expert or a professional that you could be able to ask for help if you pet is sick or if you just want to ask something about Nile monitors. These reptiles have a tough physique, and striking skin patterns with beady skin brown, olive green, and grayish-brown in color with greenish-yellow or rosette-like spots distributed along with the head and parts of its body. They require large cages or tanks as they grow quickly when fed with a nutritious diet. Nile monitors use both visual and olfactory cues when sensing the environment. Nile monitors live in burrows which they will excavate themselves or expand an existing one. As a last resort a cornered Nile monitor will bite savagely and eject foul-smelling matter from the cloaca to deter attack or throw off a pursuer. Of course, bigger is always better when it comes to reptile housing and this isespecially true for a monitor that likes to climb, swim, run, and can grow to be nine feet long. Make sure that your pets habitat is equipped with the right temperature and make sure the fresh waterer is readily available to keep them hydrated. Termite mounds make a perfect place for Nile monitors to lay their eggs, except during the dry season the hard clay makes it very difficult to burrow in. It is also advisable to always clean your hands before handling them to avoid airborne diseases. If you're interested in monitor lizards as pets, check out these similar breeds: Otherwise, explore our full collection of monitor lizard profiles. Do not use commercial sprays available in the market because it may contain harmful chemicals that may cause harm to your pet. Provided that they have a large size and heavyweight, they have a powerful leg that makes them a fast runner. Unlike other reptiles, they have the ability to breathe and stay 20-30 minutes. Nile monitors can be tamed and it is important to work at this whilst they are still young as the older the get the harder they are to train and the stronger their bite. The termites quickly repair the gaping hole which protects the eggs during development. Nile monitors are among the most exploited species of tetrapods in Africa where it is used for food and leather. Once these parasites feed on your pet, their immune system is lowered, making them more susceptible to different kinds of illnesses. When the rain comes the females dig holes in the sides of termite mounds and lays their eggs. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Sanibel, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. The skin of the Nile monitor has been used for different purposes, such as medicine, dietary protein, cultural ceremonies, and leather making. Nilemonitors can thrive in captivity but aren't always the friendliest as pets. Disclaimer: The tail of juveniles has alternating black and yellow bars. that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle). You should also make sure you have the regular funding to pay for all the food it will eat over the next 20 years, check to seeif it is legal to own a Nile monitorwhere you live and if a vet near youis willing and knowledgeable to treat such a pet. Hatchlings are about 30 cm long and weigh about 26 g, but adults may grow to lengths of 2.4 m and have an impressively powerful physique. They do not defecate on a normal basis, and sometimes it would depend on the temperature. Some accessories that you can put in their tank can be found on some reptile pet shops just makes sure to choose accessories that do not have sharp edges so that it wont cause any harm. Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing. The toes are strong and moderately long. Low temperature makes it difficult for the reptile to digest their food so they become constipated. When the female Nile Monitors reached the age of 2 or when it is about 14 inches in length, that is the time it reaches sexual maturity. Eggs may take up to 1 year to hatch. Monitor lizards are susceptible to metabolic bone disease, the result of a diet that lacks calcium. I read up about a Savannah monitor (which don't get as big as the Nile's) biting clean through a young boys fingers so on occasion the bites can be very serious! Experts would say that Nile monitor is less suited for captive breeding compared to other lizards because when they fight for their lives, they tend to be more dangerous than a crocodile of their size. As an indication of their aquatic abilities, their nostrils are situated on their snouts. They can also hear but they rely less on hearing compared to other senses such as the sense of taste. Anadu, P. 1987. They are considered to be the largest lizard in, Africa where it can grow up to five feet in length with a weight of around 45 pounds. A Nile monitor also requires UVB lighting. This material is based upon work supported by the This species has been documented at elevations from 0 to 1,600 m above sea level. Regardless of what kind of a pet they make though, Nile monitors are popular with the large lizard lovers because of their swimming and tree-climbing abilities and sheer beauty. The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor family found throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa and along the Nile.The population of West Africa forests and savannahs is sometimes recognized as a separate species, the West African Nile monitor (V. stellatus). a wetland area that may be permanently or intermittently covered in water, often dominated by woody vegetation. Nile Monitors hibernate during the cold season. Varanus niloticus is found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. They can easily sense if there is harm or danger in a place, so they escape easily. Both male and female Nile Monitors do not exhibit sexual dimorphism or differences when it comes to their physical appearance, weight, and size. The Animal Diversity Web team is excited to announce ADW Pocket Guides! the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females. Nile Monitors can live longer because of their hardy characteristics. This may take 2-3 days to complete. If you are considering getting one, make sure to be prepared in welcoming it into your home because no matter how much care you show them, they will still see you as a threat. This reptile has an appeasable appetite; there are some times when they seem so hungry even though you just feed them. Hauppauge, New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc.. Nile Monitors are legal to own as pets in most states, but some may need some permit for you to own it. 2000. Whatever the housing used, make sure that it will promote comfortability. In the wild, they feed on a variety of live prey, but in captivity, they are often fed with different kinds of insects. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. The economic importance of Nile Monitors to humans is that they are usually exploited species where it is used for leather and for food. They perceive their environments through visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical stimuli. If your Nile monitor lives outside year-round and gets natural sunlight this light is not necessary. Improper handling may also lead to broken bones and severe injuries if this happens proper support to the broken bones is needed so better seek your veterinarian. As a last resort a cornered Nile monitor will bite and eject foul-smelling musk from the cloaca to deter attack or throw off a pursuer. They also make noises such as hissing especially when they are threatened. If cornered and threatened, a Nile monitor will arch its back and stand at full stretch on its legs, hissing as the body inflates and flicking the tail sideways. When the Nile Monitor attacks you, your skin might have some bruises, and cuts, and it may cause a fracture to your muscles, joints, or bones. 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