Distribution:
Africa, from Egypt to South Africa. Found anywhere there is water.
Wild Status
While Nile monitor populations seem to be stable, other monitor species have become endangered. Key factors in the decline of these reptiles include: habitat loss killing for the reptile
leather trade and "exotic souvenirs" (example - key rings made out of feet), killing for food, and capture for the pet trade.
Description
The Ornate Nile Monitor usually grows to a maximum length of 6 feet which is slightly shorter than the Nile Monitor. This Lizard has 3 - 5 rows of light coloured markings on its back, compared to 6 – 9 on the dominant Nile Monitor. These markings are cream-coloured or yellow. They also have light-coloured tail bands. The colours fade as the animal mature but are still prominent. Ornate Monitors have a pink tongue whereas the Nile Monitor has a bluish-black tongue. Nile Monitors, like all monitors, use there throat pouch to breathe. By pumping their pouch, they force air into their diaphram, letting them stay active for long periods of time without becoming tired. They have acute eyesight and can even distinguish between people by vision alone. They can spot potential prey, enemies and mates from far away and, like all monitors, see in colour, being able to distinguish more colours than humans. Their most remarkable sense is that of smell. Their probing tongue picks up scent particles from the air, the ground, or another surface, and presses these against a special organ on the roof of their mouths that analyzes the odors collected. Because the tongue is forked, the two tines can pick up scent gradients, and allow the monitor to know which direction the scent is strongest. They use their remarkable sense of smell to find prey, track mates, keep tabs on their neighbors, and warn them of approaching predators. A monitor's sense of hearing is not nearly so acute as that of most people, however. While they are quite sensative to low to mid frequencies, their rage of hearing is nowhere near so broad of that of mammals. They react to sounds in a very different way than mammals - loud sounds that would startle a mammal may be completely ignored by a monitor even though they can hear the sound quite clearly. If they learn to associate a sound with food, however, they will pay close attention when they hear it.
Size
Nile monitors grow to 4'-5' feet on average but can grow in exceeding 7' and a half feet
Life Span
Captive and wild specimens have an approximate life span of 15 years.
Difficulty Level
Difficult - keeper should have previous experience with larger Monitor species.
Enclosure
Niles need large enclosures. The larger the better. Although you can house a hatchling in a 20 gallon long aquarium that does not mean you should! These are not suitable for Niles. Even 55 gallon aquariums will only work for a short period of time. Eventually you will need to buy or build a custom enclosure for your Nile. For those of you who can, dedicating a full room in the house for a Nile is a good idea.
Substrate
Pine shavings, aspen bedding, or orchid bark can be used as a substrate. Landscape with rocks, driftwood, or hollow logs.
Temperatures & Heating
Varanus niloticus should have a daytime temperature gradient of 80-90° F (27-32° C) and a nighttime temperature of 78-80° F (26-27° C).
Humidity
The humidity should be moderate.
Lighting
An incandescent bulb in a reflector should be situated at one end of the vivarium to provide gradient daytime heat. At night, a red or black light bulb or ceramic infrared element may be used.
Water
A water dish large enough for the lizard to soak in should be used. Nile monitors have a tendency to crap in the water dish so clean it whenever soiled or at least daily.
Feeding
Nile monitors are carnivores. In captivity, they can be fed crickets, mealworms, kingworms, waxworms, butterworms, rodents, and fish. Feeder insects should be fed rich diets prior to being fed off. The monitors may occasionally be fed cooked eggs, canned dog or monitor food or raw beef heart. They should receive vitamin supplements once a week and calcium supplements twice weekly.
Maintenance
Spot-clean your monitors enclosure as necessary. When feces/urates/uneaten prey items are present, remove them as soon as possible. Clean & disinfect the water bowl on a weekly basis. Depending on cage conditions, remove all substrate & cage furniture and completely disinfect using a 5% bleach solution approximately every 30 days. Rinse the enclosure thoroughly and allow to dry before replacing cage furniture & your snake.
Basic Reproductive Info
Females may lay 7-60 eggs in nests fashioned in the ground or in termite hills or tree hollows.
The length of egg incubation is dependent on temperature and humidity.
Some scientists claim that it may take as long as one year for eggs to hatch in the wild. However, artificially incubated eggs generally hatch in 130-175 days.
Notes/Comments
Given the size they can grow to, their strength, strong claws and sometimes aggressive nature, these are not recommended for beginners. Raising a Nile Monitor is a serious commitment or time, energy and money. Take all this into account before buying that cute looking hatchling!
