Nile monitor
Appearance
Largest african lizard (total length may exceed 240 cm). Head elongate. Flattened tail longer than body. Head, body covered in small bead-like scales. Powerful limbs and strong claws. Blotched greyish brown and yellow to dirty olive-brown, light crossbands on the tail; juvenile brighter than adult. It is an excellent swimmer.Habitat
Common in major river valleys. Widespread in southern Africa except Western Cape and most of Namibia.Nomenclature
(en) Nile monitor(sc) Varanus niloticus
(nl) Nijlvaraan
(af) Waterlikkewaan
