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Nile monitor

Varanus niloticus

Photo by NeilHarris
Published on Project Noah
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-18.4013, 21.8811

Field Notes

Description:

Nile Monitors can grow to about 9 feet in length. They have muscular bodies, strong legs and powerful jaws. The teeth are sharp and pointed in juvenile animals and become blunt and peg-like in adults. They also possess sharp claws used for climbing, digging, defense, or tearing at their prey. Like all monitors they have a forked tongue, with highly developed olfactory properties.
Nile Monitors live throughout Africa except for desert regions.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (1)

Hi Neil - really great shot, loved it. I stumbled upon your spottings by chance, and took liberty to include this one in few relevant missions. Hope you don't mind my intervention. Cheers
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 23, 2011

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