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Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source ↗
Nile Monitor (Water Monitor)
Waterlikkewaan · Varanus niloticus
Africa's largest lizard and a superb swimmer, the Nile monitor is almost always found near water. It has a long, slender snout, a flattened tail for swimming and a flicking forked tongue. It hunts crabs, fish, frogs and crocodile eggs, and will dig into termite mounds to lay its own eggs. When cornered it can deliver a nasty bite and tail-whip.
Log your Nile Monitor (Water Monitor) sighting — free →How to identify it
A long, slim lizard with a pointed snout and a paddle-like tail, almost always seen swimming or basking at the water's edge.
Where to see it in Kruger
Common along rivers, dams and pans throughout the park, often basking on rocks or logs near the Sabie and Olifants Rivers.
Did you know
It loves crocodile eggs so much it will dig open a croc's nest while the mother isn't looking!
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