The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor family (Varanidae) found throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in drier regions, and along the Nile River and its tributaries in East Africa. Additionally, there are modern, invasive populations in North America. The population found in West African forests and savannahs is sometimes recognized as a separate species, the West African Nile monitor (V. stellatus).[2] While it is dwarfed by its larger relatives, such as the Komodo dragon, the Asian water monitor or the crocodile monitor, it is still one of the largest lizards in the world, reaching (and even surpassing) Australia’s perentie in size. Other common names include the African small-grain lizard,[3] as well as iguana and various forms derived from it,[4] such as guana, water leguaan[5] or river leguaan (leguan, leguaan, and likkewaan mean monitor lizard in South African English, and can be used interchangeably).[6]
A feral population of Nile monitors (descended from escaped or intentionally-released pets) has become established in several locations in South Florida.[7] In addition to any illegally-released animals, it is speculated that during particularly intense hurricane seasons in Florida, many reptiles potentially escape when their enclosures are damaged or inadvertently unlocked; as Florida has a semi-tropical to tropical climate, many reptiles are housed outdoors, and poorly-secured enclosures may become damaged during bad storms. Along with Nile monitors, Florida is infamous for its feral populations of agamas, Argentine black and white tegus, Burmese pythons, green iguanas, Madagascar giant day geckos, and panther and veiled chameleons, among others. Many of these species are thought to be descendants of hurricane escapees.
^Wilms, T.; Wagner, P.; Luiselli, L.; Branch, W.R.; Penner, J.; Baha El Din, S.; Beraduccii, J.; Msuya, C.A.; Howell, K.; Ngalason, W. (2021). "Varanus niloticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T198539A2531945. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T198539A2531945.en. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
^Dowell, S.A, D.M. Portik, V. de Buffrenil, I Ineich, E Greenbaum, S.O. Kolokotronis and E.R. Hekkala. 2016. Molecular data from contemporary and historical collections reveal a complex story of cryptic diversification in the Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 94(Part B): 591-604. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.10.004
^"Synonyms of Nile Monitor (Veranus niloticus)". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
^"iguana". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
^Varanus niloticus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 15 September 2019.
^"leguan - definition". Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
^"Nile Monitor". Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
The Nilemonitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor family (Varanidae) found throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in...
these explanations for the name "monitor" postdate Linnaeus giving the scientific name Lacerta monitor to the Nilemonitor in 1758, which may have been based...
The West African Nilemonitor (Varanus niloticus stellatus) is a subspecies of monitor lizard that is native to West African forests and adjacent savannah...
it slightly smaller than the Nilemonitor by maximum size. It is the second longest African lizard after the Nilemonitor. Mature specimens typically measure...
The Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis), also called the Indian monitor, is a monitor lizard distributed widely in the Indian Subcontinent, as well as...
(200 lb), although, this is highly questionable. Nilemonitor (Varanus niloticus) The Nilemonitor (Varanus niloticus) is the largest lizard native to...
The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. It is widely...
in the delta include frogs, turtles, tortoises, mongooses, and the Nilemonitor. Nile crocodiles and hippopotamus, two animals which were widespread in...
African Nilemonitor) and Varanus niloticus (Nilemonitor). Consequently, Varanus ornatus is considered a synonym of Varanus niloticus and "ornate monitor" is...
The Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a large varanid lizard native to South and Southeast Asia. It is widely considered to be the second-largest...
Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian...
The crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii), also known as the Papuan monitor or Salvadori's monitor, is a species of monitor lizard endemic to New Guinea...
The clouded monitor (Varanus nebulosus) is a species of monitor lizard, native to Burma, Thailand and Indochina to West Malaysia, Singapore, Java, Sumatra...
savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) is a medium-sized species of monitor lizard native to Africa. The species is known as Bosc's monitor in Europe...
The lace monitor (Varanus varius), also known as the tree goanna, is a member of the monitor lizard family native to eastern Australia. A large lizard...
Along with other varanid lizards, such as the Komodo dragon and the Nilemonitor, megalania belongs to the proposed clade Toxicofera, which contains all...
However, several species of monitor lizards, including the Komodo dragon, produce powerful venom in their oral glands. Lace monitor venom, for instance, causes...
The earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) is a semiaquatic, brown lizard native to the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. It is the only living...
The desert monitor (Varanus griseus) is a species of monitor lizard of the order Squamata found living throughout North Africa and Central and South Asia...
living fossils. Although the Gila monster appears closely related to the monitor lizards (varanids) of Africa, Asia, and Australia, their wide geographical...
the earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus). Varanus includes the Komodo dragon (the largest living lizard), crocodile monitor, savannah monitor, the goannas...
yellow monitor (Varanus flavescens) or golden monitor is a monitor lizard native to South Asia. The yellow monitor is a medium-sized monitor, measuring...
Global Information
