By Stuart Dodsworth
Nile Monitor
(Varanus niloticus)
Distribution
This large monitor lizard can be found in most areas of Africa and is the most widespread varanid species in Africa. They are generally found near to water supplies in Savannah type habitat. Recently introduced into Florida, as escapee pets.
There were formerly two subspecies of Nile Monitor recognised but the Ornate Nile Monitor has now been classified as a species in its own right.
Prior to getting this species research as much as possible and if possible spend time with a current keeper to see if this is the species for you, it is also worth joining your local reptile society/group as they will be able to give you hints and tips (and you may be able to do the same for them).
Size
These animals can reach sizes of between 1.5 - 2 meters (5 – 6½ feet) in length.
Please remember this when you buy a cute little hatchling.
Diet
Many monitors in the wild are predominantly insectivores/carrion eaters. Foods suitable to be offered in captivity are day old chicks (not very often due to low nutritional content), mealworms, wax worms and moths, black and Brown crickets, locusts, earthworms (not the red fishing bait ones), various fish, mice, gerbils, hamsters (occasionally), rats and eggs (kept to a minimum). Unfortunately, not all of the above foods have a high nutritional content and many illnesses are due to an unfortified diet and incorrect environment. It is important to offer these monitors a varied diet in order to provide the correct nutritional balance. This species should be maintained solitarily due to the few reported cases of Nile’s being cannibalistic.
Requirements
- Heat Source:- This can be either reflector spot lights in green, red or blue, ceramic or tubular heaters. Heat mats may also be used as a useful additional source of heat. Microclimate heaters can also be used to good effect in larger enclosures. All heat sources should be guarded and thermostatically controlled.
- UV Light Source:- Nile Monitors require a Reptisun 10.0 UVB lamp. This should be positioned no more than 30 cm away from the reptile when it is basking. This should be left on for 12 - 14 hours a day and replaced every 6 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. This will create a day and night time effect as well as give your lizard sufficient levels of UV. Care should be taken with Colour morphs with red or unpigmented eyes as this can damage their eyes. The UV powerbulbs can be used to good effect in larger enclosures, just ensure they are protected from the Monitor’s tail when it whips.
- Housing:- This should consist of a spacious dark wooden vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation or a converted room. Hatchlings would require a hatchling tub (i.e. a Pen pal), which can be placed inside a heated vivarium. An adult would require as large a vivarium/room as possible, Bennett recommends 8m2 with 2½m height with a fitted pool and a lot of logs to climb on. These measurements are to be used as a guideline only.
- Thermometers:- One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the enclosure. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.
- Hides:- These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Over turned plastic dog beds and cardboard boxes, cork bark tubes, etc all make good hides for this species.
Water and Humidity
These animals require a water container which will allow them to bathe without constriction. An ideal method of supplying this is to provide them with a fitted pond. This water should be changed daily as this is also the water they drink.
Temperature
A basking area of 45°C (113°F) is required at one end of the vivarium. A background temperature ranging from 18 - 30°C (64-86°F) should be provided. The temperature should be allowed to drop between 22 - 26.6°C (72 - 80°F) at night.
Longevity
Nile Monitors can live between 20 and 25 years in captivity. Although many do not pass 10 years due to poor husbandry conditions.
Substrate
Never feed your reptile over substrate that may be ingested with the prey item. A soil/Sand mixture is beneficial to this species as it gives them chance to grip with their claws and burrow. Orchid bark can also be used to good effect as long as the humidity is not maintained too high.
Obesity
It should be noted that due to the way that monitors are kept as pets, they are prone to obesity. Monitors will eat as much as you give them and if they're not running around after their food, they are not burning off those excess calories. Excess fat deposits on the tail as well as around the liver and kidneys - this can cause fatal liver problems later on in life. Beware - do not overfeed! These animals should be slender and be able to raise their bodies well off the ground when walking.
N.B. Only minimal taming will occur with this species of Monitor as they tend to have an aggressive nature. Only suitable for experienced keepers.
Distribution map taken from
http://lifemapper.org/robotfood/Reptile/Varanus%20niloticus.HTM
Photograph taken by Stuart Dodsworth.
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Varanus_SP_niloticus']
The Dutch Monitor Website –
http://www.varanus.nl/
Daniel Bennett -
http://mampam.50megs.com/monitors/niloticus.html
Information on Florida Populations -
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=1085
http://www.reptilia.org/care_sheets/lizards/csheets_liz_nile.htm
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Lizard,%20Monitors%20Nile.htm
http://animal.discovery.com/guides/reptiles/iguanas/nilemonitor.html
http://www.iosphere.net/~ajs/Monitor.htm
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