Reptiles · Squamata · Varanidae

Nile Monitor

Varanus niloticus

Not Evaluated

It has not yet been assessed against the IUCN criteria. See full glossary

Spotted something wrong?

It is the largest lizard in Africa and one of the most intelligent reptiles known.

Weight

6 kg – 15 kg

Size

1.5 m – 2.4 m

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Unknown

SavannaFreshwaterCarnivore Diurnal Solitary Reptile Savanna Freshwater

44countries 73parks6same family

Fun facts

It often lays its eggs inside occupied termite mounds, which the termites then repair, providing a natural incubator at steady temperature and humidity.
It eats crabs and insects (50-70% of its diet), supplemented with small vertebrates, eggs and carrion.
It lives in forest, dry savannah, swamp and mangrove across sub-Saharan Africa, always near water.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
Habitat & environment: Forest, dry savannah, swamp and mangrove across much of sub-Saharan Africa, always near water
Birth weight: ~26 grams at hatching
Size at birth: 15-30 cm long at hatching
Sexual maturity: 2-4 years
Gestation / incubation: 120-300 days depending on the source (usual reference 6-10 months)
Litter / clutch size: 12 to 60 eggs per clutch, often laid in active termite mounds
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 20 years in captivity

Sources consulted: TSUSInvasives; EDDMapS; Animal Diversity Web; One Earth; USGS NAS Species Profile; Animal Pedia; Wikipedia (West African Nile monitor); Animalia.bio; IUCN GISD