Least Concern Reptiles

Nile Monitor

Varanus niloticus

Nile Monitor is a carnivorous lizard in African freshwater and savanna habitats.

Scientific name	Varanus niloticus
Swahili name	Mamba wa Mto
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Family	Varanidae
Size	Males: total length can reach 120-220 cm, weight approximately 6-15 kg; females: slightly smaller, length about 100-150 cm, weight about 4-10 kg

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How to identify

Body color usually dark gray or black with yellow or pale spots and stripes; tail flattened, adapted for swimming; head large and wedge-shaped; skin rough with distinct scales; limbs strong with sharp claws.

Habitat

Freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, wetlands, and surrounding sparse woodland savannas and shrublands.

Diet

Carnivorous, primarily preys on fish, amphibians, birds, small mammals, insects, and other reptiles; occasionally scavenges carrion.

When it is active

Diurnal, mainly active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

Where it lives

Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, including the Nile River basin, East Africa (such as Kenya, Tanzania), West Africa, and parts of southern Africa; commonly found in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.

How to spot it

Observe near water bodies or rivers, paying attention to swimming and basking behavior; maintain a safe distance to avoid disturbance.

Photography tips

Use soft light during early morning or late afternoon for photography, capturing swimming or feeding moments; use a telephoto lens to ensure a safe distance.

Threats

Habitat destruction, water pollution, human hunting, and trade pressures.

Similar species

Other species of the genus Varanus, such as the Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus); the Nile Monitor is larger, with a more flattened tail and more distinct color patterns.

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