For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Water Monitor (Varanus niloticus)

Family Varanidae
Water Monitors, as the name implies, are always found near water and grow to almost 2m in length. They defend themselves by lashing out with their tails, biting and scratching.
They eat frogs, smaller reptiles, birds eggs and chicks, terrapin eggs, small mammals.
They are distinquished from the Rock Monitor by their yellow stripes which become more drab as they age.

1 comment:

Gaelyn said...

Loved that one we saw several times in Pilanesberg.