Nile monitor lizard: habitat, photo and description, content features, care and nutrition

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The monitor lizard family has a lot of representatives. One of them is the Nile monitor, widespread on the African continent. The impressive size and formidable appearance of the animal do not prevent it from being a pet for those people who love the exotic. Keeping a lizard in the walls of the house requires compliance with special conditions. It is this unusual animal that will be discussed in the article.

External characteristics

Nile monitor lizard is a reptile that is the largest representative of the monitor lizard family. The appearance of the animal and structural features make it easy to distinguish it from other members of the family.

The monitor lizard has a rather large body, the length of which is about two meters. Such dimensions are typical for larger members of the family, and medium ones - 1.7 meters, despite the fact that the tail reaches a meter in length. An unusual crest is located on top of the body, which is its bright distinguishing feature.

Nile monitor lizard has a muscular body. The largest representatives can weigh up to 20 kilograms. Powerful limbs are perfectly adapted to the aquatic lifestyle. On the paws are sharp, long claws. It is they who allow monitor lizards to deftly climb trees, tear apart the victim and dig the ground. On the large head of the animal are large eyes that can simultaneously rotate in different directions. On the muzzle are oval-shaped nostrils. Monitor lizards have very sharp front teeth, but the back teeth are blunt. The reptile's long forked tongue has an incredibly developed olfactory function.

Nile monitor lizard is an exotic reptile that can have a dark brown or dark gray color, which largely depends on the habitat. The color of the animal is influenced by many factors, including age and lifestyle. On the body of the monitor lizard there are transverse stripes with specks and spots.

The upper part of the body is usually painted in one color, and the lower part in another - yellow with dark stripes. Young reptiles are almost black in color, which can be diluted with yellow blotches.

Habitat

For us, the Nile monitor lizard is an exotic creature that can now be found in some homes as a pet. The homeland of the animal is the southern lands of Africa (Nubia, Sudan, Egypt). In the wild, monitor lizards prefer to settle on the banks of water bodies. A favorite place is the banks of the Nile, which is why the reptile got its name.

In the late nineties, animals began to be actively brought to the American continent. Currently, representatives of the family can be seen in Florida, California and even on the famous beaches of Palm Beach. Reptiles can live anywhere there is a body of water. They cannot be found in deserts, but in tropical forests, savannahs, near lakes and swamps, they are often found.

Lifestyle

The Nile monitor lizard is an animal that, under natural conditions, never goes far from water bodies. They spend most of their lives in water, and under its thickness they can stay for about an hour. On the shore, the reptiles lie completely motionless, exposing their bodies to the warm rays of the sun. Rocks are a favorite resting place for animals. Nile monitors are excellent tree climbers and good swimmers.

Food

Animals are most active during the daytime. Predatory reptiles prey on small mammals, turtles, insects. They actively tear apart crocodile masonry, eating eggs. In case of danger, lizards prefer to pretend to be dead or run away to water bodies. Young animals eat arthropods, while adults love molluscs and crustaceans. It is worth saying that the Nile monitor lizards are resistant to snake venoms, so snakes also enter their diet. At night, the reptiles hide in dug holes.

The diet of monitor lizards depends on the season and habitat. During the rainy season, crustaceans, amphibians, arthropods and mollusks become the main prey. During a drought, animals feed on carrion.

Reproduction of monitor lizards

In anticipation of the end of the rainy season beginsmating season for reptiles. Nile monitor lizards enter into serious fights for a female, during which stronger animals try to pin a weak opponent to the ground. Reptiles reach sexual maturity at the age of three to four years. Females build their nests in termite mounds, which are located near water bodies. Lizards can lay 5–60 eggs, each weighing 46–52 grams. The incubation period is nine to ten months.

An interesting fact is that after laying lizards, the fate of their offspring is completely unconcerned. Young individuals begin to hatch only in the next rainy season. After hatching, liquid is spilled from each egg, which destroys the walls of the termite mound. Then the kids quietly crawl out. The lizards that were born do not exceed 22 centimeters in length. They feed on small amphibians, slugs and insects.

People and monitor lizards

Nile monitor lizards, the photo of which is given in the article, were considered sacred animals in ancient times. Monuments were erected in their honor and worshiped. In many African countries, the situation has not changed to this day. For people, the skin of animals and meat are of the greatest value, from which local natives willingly prepare a variety of dishes. Beautiful and strong leather is used in the manufacture of accessories and footwear. Aboriginal people use animal organs as medicines. In the last century, people actively exterminated monitor lizards for leather. Up to 700 thousand skins were mined per year. An impressive figureallows you to estimate the extent of destruction. Currently, activities are being actively carried out to restore the number of lizards.

Character of monitor lizards

Recently it has become fashionable to keep the Nile monitor lizard at home. When choosing a similar pet for yourself, you should be aware of its hostile and aggressive nature. The animal can deliver strong blows with its tail or paws. Plus, lizards have a powerful bite.

It is for this reason that experts categorically do not recommend starting such an animal for beginners, since the pet needs special care. The Nile monitor requires close attention from the owners because of its difficult temper.

Terrariums

Lizards are not cute furries that can fit on the couch in your apartment. Keeping a Nile monitor in the house will require you to have a fairly large terrarium, since the animal has an impressive size. A spacious container is suitable for a pet. Its volume should not be less than 75 liters. In the process of growing the animal, it is necessary to increase the size of the terrarium.

A substrate must be present in the container. You can use ordinary sand, soil, pine sawdust, orchid bark, artificial turf. The base is laid out in a thick layer so that the lizard can dig holes, which is its natural need. The terrarium must be decorated with snags, tree trunks, logs, stones to imitate natural habitat conditions. The tank should have a spacious pool. Watershould be enough for the pet to be completely immersed in it.

The monitor lizard needs to be zoned. In one part, it is worth organizing a place for taking warm baths, the temperature of which should not be higher than +45 degrees, the daytime temperature should be within +27 - +32 degrees, and the nighttime temperature should be maintained within +25 degrees. In the dwelling, the humidity level should be at the level of 60-70%.

Because monitor lizards are urinating, the pool needs to be changed daily.

Proper maintenance of the animal implies the presence of sufficient ultraviolet radiation, which prevents lizards from developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, the light strengthens the immune system of the animal. To organize the correct lighting, you must use special UV lamps.

Pet diet

Lizards are prone to overeating (and even obesity), so the diet should consist of a small number of rodents. At home, pets are fed zoophobuses, crickets, eggs, lean fish, and small rodents. And in the menu of lizards you need to regularly include minerals and vitamin supplements. They are necessary for the animal for the full development and growth. Calcium and vitamins are given to lizards once every ten days.

Cleaning the terrarium

Little lizards regularly soil the water with feces, so the liquid in the pool must be constantly changed to avoid the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The terrarium also needs to be regularly cleaned of food debris and other waste products.

Unsanitary conditions can provoke the development of diseases in a pet.

Safety

Varanas have an aggressive nature. Their maintenance and care require compliance with security measures. Without protective equipment, lizards cannot be picked up and fed from them. Wild-caught reptiles must be checked for parasites and quarantined. As pets, you need to choose young individuals. The older the reptile, the more difficult it will be to tame it. Adult animals are more aggressive.

In summer and winter, they need to provide periods of rest. A monitor lizard is an unusual animal that, subject to all the rules, can become a pet. And it should be understood that the animal is quite aggressive, and therefore, in dealing with it, you must be very careful. You won't be able to play with a monitor lizard like you would with a cat or a dog. Because such a pet is not suitable for every person.

It is not so easy to tame a monitor lizard, but it is possible if you wish and try. Males are more aggressive. But the females are less evil. But, despite the peculiarities of character, animals love communication. They are absolutely not against tactile contacts. They can be stroked and even picked up, not forgetting to wear protective equipment. Experts recommend taking a very young animal into the house. Then you have a chance to make a pet out of it. And yet, in dealing with him, it is necessary to observe safety measures. Monitor lizards are not the kindest and best creatures forhome contents.

Possible ailments

Varana often suffer from stomatitis. The appearance of the disease can be judged by an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity. The manifestation of the disease is accompanied by tissue death. The reason for this is malnutrition or incorrectly set temperature conditions in the terrarium. You can cure your pet by changing the diet. A balanced diet will allow the animal to heal. Wounds are treated with creams.

Varana often suffer from obesity. Fat deposits accumulate on the tail and abdomen. The reason for their appearance is overfeeding the pet. Monitor lizard needs to be put on a diet.

Another disease may appear in animals - gout. It occurs due to lack of water or malnutrition. With this disease, swelling of the joints is observed. A sick monitor lizard needs to reconsider the diet. In addition, there should always be fresh water in the terrarium, this is a prerequisite.