Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)

Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus
Name	Nile Monitor
Name Lat.	Varanus niloticus
Family	Monitor Lizards
Family lat.	Varanidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Africa
Habitat	Rivers, Lakes
Diet	Insects, small mammals, fish
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Experts only
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	12-15 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	150 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	40-45 °C
Housing Size	500 x 200 x 200 cm
US Units
Size	59"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	104-113 °F
Housing Size	195" x 80" x 80"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the diurnal, semiaquatic Nile monitor is all of sub-Saharan Africa, except in the central rainforest areas. Along the Nile they occur as far as Egypt. They always live near bodies of water

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

5KRL x 2KRL x 2KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A large terrarium of e.g. 500 x 200 x 200 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a spacious terrarium structured with strong, horizontally mounted climbing branches and rock structures (hiding place and privacy screen), a deep graveable substrate of terrarium humus or a soil-peat mixture, and a large water basin suitable for bathing (ideally 30-40 cm deep) with a water temperature of about 25 °C. Part of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Several times a day, especially in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better.

Temp. day: 25-30 °C

Temp. night: 20-24 °C

Temp. local: up to 40 °C

Humidity: 60-80

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. The lighting duration must be 10-12 hrs. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

The predatory monitors eat everything they can overpower, but also carrion. The food supply consists of insects (crickets, grasshoppers, zophobas, etc.), small mammals, chicks, eggs (raw or cooked), fish, snails, etc., as well as meat from cattle and game, depending on their size. Commercially available ready-to-eat food is also readily accepted. Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small quantities because of their large fat content. It is important to add minerals and vitamins regularly (e.g. by dusting the feed). Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 3-4 times a week. Drinking water must always be available

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Reliable sex determination is possible only by radiography or endoscopy. The female lays 5-60 eggs in burrows she has dug herself. The incubation period is 120-126 days at a temperature of 30 °C. The young are 15-30 cm in size. Life expectancy can be 12-15 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported.

Protection of species: WA Annex II; EU Annex B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

They need hiding places and according to their need for warmth sunny places with radiant heat, e.g. stones or branches irradiated with a spot. Males engage in comment fights at the beginning of the mating season, which are less intense than in other monitor lizards. Especially adults tend to become obese, therefore a fasting period should be taken occasionally

Excellent swimmers, they can dive for up to an hour while foraging. A stable population has been established in Florida from illegally released pets.

A hibernation period of approximately 2 months at a lowered temperature and reduced lighting duration is recommended.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak 

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF