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FAMILY Varanidae
(Varanids) |
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Varanus |
albigularis |
Savanna Monitor
Lizard |
 Also known
as the White -Throated Monitor, this is an unmistakable
large lizard. Believed to be, related to the ancestors
of snakes, Monitor Lizards are widespread in the Old
World, with many species. They are strong animals that
can use their tail as a whip, claws to scratch and have
a very powerful, crunching bite though the teeth are not
large. They will eat nearly anything that is ‘meat’..birds,
eggs, small mammals, snakes and other reptiles,
amphibians, insects and, often, carrion. They play a
significant role in controlling crocodile and
tortoise/turtle numbers as they dig up nests to get at
the eggs. Their scavenging is a useful service in
nature but can be a threat to chicken farmers! The other
Coastal Monitor is The Nile Monitor Lizard.
Varanus niloticus. Although not common in Watamu
itself , Nile Monitors have been recorded from the
Arubuko-Sokoke forest and up to the Sabaki River. It can
be distinguished by having a longer neck and is more
brightly marked with yellow markings. |
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Varanus |
niloticus |
Nile Monitor
Lizard |
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Believed to
be, related to the ancestors of snakes, Monitor Lizards
are widespread in the Old World, with many species. They
are strong animals that can use their tail as a whip,
claws to scratch and have a very powerful, crunching
bite though the teeth are not large. They will eat
nearly anything that is ‘meat’ ...... birds, eggs, small
mammals, snakes and other reptiles, amphibians, insects
and, often, carrion. They play a significant role in
controlling crocodile and tortoise/turtle numbers as
they dig up nests to get at the eggs. Their scavenging
is a useful service in nature but can be a threat to
chicken farmers! |
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