Nile Monitor
Varanus niloticus
English
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor family (Varanidae) found throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in drier regions, and along the Nile River and its tributaries in East Africa. Additionally, there are modern, invasive populations in North America. The population found in West African forests and savannahs is sometimes recognized as a separate species, the West African Nile monitor (V. niloticus stellatus) and Ornate monitor (V. niloticus ornatus). While it is dwarfed by its larger relatives, such as the Komodo dragon, the Asian water monitor or the crocodile monitor, it is still one of the largest lizards in the world, reaching (and even surpassing) Australia's perentie in size. Other common names include the African small-grain lizard, as well as iguana and various forms derived from it, such as guana, water leguaan or river leguaan (leguan, leguaan, and likkewaan mean monitor lizard in South African English, and can be used interchangeably). A feral population of Nile monitors (descended from escaped or intentionally-released pets) has become established in several locations in South Florida. In addition to any illegally-released animals, it is speculated that during particularly intense hurricane seasons in Florida, many reptiles potentially escape when their enclosures are damaged or inadvertently unlocked; as Florida has a semi-tropical to tropical climate, many reptiles are housed outdoors, and poorly-secured enclosures may become damaged during bad storms. Along with Nile monitors, Florida is infamous for its feral populations of agamas, Argentine black and white tegus, Burmese pythons, green iguanas, Madagascar giant day geckos, and panther and veiled chameleons, among others. Many of these species are thought to be descendants of hurricane escapees.
Français · Varan du Nil
Le Varan du Nil, Varanus niloticus, est une espèce africaine de sauriens de la famille des Varanidae. En langage Kroumen, on le nomme "Pahwein", comme on nomme aussi d'ailleurs le Varan orné, qui n'est pas la même espèce que V. niloticus même si cela varie selon les sources.
Español · Monitor del Nilo
El varano del Nilo es una especie de reptil escamoso de la familia Varanidae se encuentra en gran parte de África excepto en el noroeste.
Русский · Нильский варан
Нильский варан — крупный вид варанов. Является одной из крупнейших и одной из самых широко распространённых ящериц в Африке.
العربية · ورل نيلي
ورل نيلي ، نوع من الورل من أكبر الحرشفيات الزاحفة في فصيلة الورليات··
中文 · 尼羅巨蜥
尼罗河巨蜥 是巨蜥科的一种体型较大的蜥蜴，体长可至120厘米到220厘米之间，广泛分布于非洲，但在非洲西部则由Varanus stellatus取代。
Photo: Saskia Thomas · CC-BY-NC · View on iNaturalist · Wikipedia
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