5120 x 3407 px | 43,3 x 28,8 cm | 17,1 x 11,4 inches | 300dpi
Date de la prise de vue:
26 juin 2009
Informations supplémentaires:
Animal Nile Monitor Lizard Latin name varanus niloticus Distribution Central and southern Africa. Habitat River banks. Diet Crocodile eggs, fish, mussels, snails and carrion. Gestation Females lay 7 - 60 eggs, which hatch after 130 -175 days. Longevity Can live well over 25 years. Status in the wild Populations are stable. General characteristics The Nile monitor is the second largest lizard in Africa, reaching over 2 metres in length. They are semi-aquatic animals and are very good swimmers and divers. The Nile monitor lizard can stay underwater for over an hour at a time. It is well adapted for an aquatic life as it has a keel-shaped tail, which helps to propel itself along when swimming. They are also fairly streamlined when swimming which helps to minimise drag in the water. The Nile monitor is equally agile on land as it is in the water and can reach speeds of 18 mph. Nile monitor lizards readily steal crocodile’s eggs which is a risky business. When threatened by crocodiles, the lizard will hiss and whip it’s tail in defense. They are well equipped to defend themselves. The tail can administer painful lashes that can cause bone fractures. They also have a very powerful bite. Crocodiles and large pythons are the Nile monitors main predators, other than man. The wild population is fairly stable. However, humans have been known to use it’s skin and fat to make traditional medicine, amulets and leather goods. Did You Know? There are 31 different species of Monitor lizard, which includes the largest lizard of all, the Komodo dragon.
