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Fast Facts:
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The genus name for monitor lizards, Varanus, is a Latin word derived
from "Waran", an Arabic word for monitor. The "monitor"
name probably originated from the superstitious belief that Nile
monitors warned of the presence of crocodiles. Nile monitors eat
crocodile eggs and were therefore often seen near crocodile nesting
sites.
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There
are 40 or so species of monitors (number varies with different
references.) Approximately two-thirds of the monitor species are
from Australia, while the remaining one-third is found in Africa,
the Middle East, tropical Asia, and some Pacific Islands.
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Nile Monitor
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| Scientific Name:
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Varanus niloticus
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| Classification:
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Phylum Chordata, Class Reptilia, Order Squamata, Suborder
Sauria, Family Varanidae
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| Status:
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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.
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| Range:
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"throughout sub-Saharan Africa, along the Nile River into Egypt,
as well as over much of the rest of Africa along rivers and other
aquatic habitats" (Balsai 112)
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| Habitat:
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commonly found around riverbanks
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| Diet:
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crocodile eggs, fish, bird hatchlings, snails and mussels
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| Size:
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An adult Nile monitor can grow up to 7 feet in body length.
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Location:
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Special Features:
- Most
monitor species grow to lengths of 3 feet or more, making them
the largest of all living lizards. Monitors range in size from
the smaller tree monitors (1.5 feet) to the Komodo dragon, an
endangered species native to Indonesia, which may reach lengths
of 10 feet.
- Nile monitors commonly live along riverbanks and are semi-aquatic. They are able to swim and dive. They have a keel-shaped tail that is adapted to help them swim. Nile monitors are also quite adept at moving on land and can reach speeds of 18 miles per hour.
- Nile monitors commonly eat crocodile eggs, and while preying on the eggs, monitors may be confronted by an adult crocodile. Nile monitors will hiss and whip their tails in defense, but they still may fall victim to a crocodile's jaws.
Breeding & care of young:
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.
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