Savannah Monitor Lizards

Scientific name: Varanus exanthematicus
Family: Varanidae
Order: Squamata
Class: Reptilia

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The Savannah Monitor in the wild can weigh five to five and a half kilograms, yet in captivity it is often found weighing over six kilograms. In the wild, the average length of this Monitor is of approximately 1 to 1.5 meters. Varanus exanthematicus has small scales in the cranial region, larger abdominal scales, and keeled scales on the caudal area. This stout creatures tail tapers and has a double toothed crest. The body is gray to brown, with alternating yellow and brown rings on the tail, and some yellow on the abdominal area, as well as inside the limbs. The front legs have extremely sharp claws which are used for digging, while the longer rear legs are more fitted for running. This lizard has a blue snake-like tongue and a head that can turn in all directions. Monitors, just like snakes, can significantly expand their mouths to accommodate the swallowing of larger prey. Males are slightly larger and have shorter tails than females, yet females tend to be more heavily bodied.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

The natural habitat of Varanus exanthematicus is, as its common name reveals, the African Savannah. The Savannah Monitor has been able to flourish throughout this region due to the coloration of its skin, which provides a camouflage among the similarly colored Savannahs grasses. Although no consensus exists upon the exact distribution of the Savannah Monitor, Senegal, Eritrea, Northern Zaire, Ghana, and Togo have all been mentioned as places where it can be found in the wild. The distribution of this Monitor demonstrates some of its capabilities of adaptation, however, it has not yet successfully adapted to either rainforests or deserts. The adults usually live on the ground. The juveniles usually seek shelter in trees or burrows of other animals, to avoid predation.

BEHAVIOR:

The Savannah Monitor is diurnal and is most active in warm sunshine. During periods of drought or cool weather, it becomes dormant. For this reason, its feeding pattern is that of feast and famine. During the typical eight month wet season of the Savannah, when food is most plentiful, the Monitor will consume an enormous amount of food which will create the fat reserves necessary to sustain life during the dry season. It is estimated that in a typical wet season day, Varanus exanthematicus can consume one tenth of its body weight. The males tend to be highly territorial. Before striking at other males, they display their aggression by making a loud hissing sound and trashing their tail. However, the Savannah Monitor is a shy animal and will avoid areas populated by humans. Occasionally, when this Monitor encounters a human it will play dead in an attempt to avoid capture.

DIET:

Adults in the wild will eat birds, snakes, snails, small mammals, and even carrion. Due to their undeveloped sharp teeth, yet keeping with their carnivorous diet, juveniles will eat an assortment of insects. Fertilization occurs within the female where the sperm can be stored in the oviducts for long periods of time, therefore making it difficult to determine accurate paternity. When the female is ready to lay her eggs, she will dig a hole or find a termite mound into which to deposit her eggs. Twenty to fifty soft leathery eggs can be laid at one time. Unless they are eaten by a predator, all eggs will hatch. Hatching occurs during the months of March and April. Hatchlings weigh about 10 grams and measure approximately 12 centimeters. During the first couple of months these lizards exhibit very rapid growth. There are a variety of reasons why Varanus exanthematicus has proven to be very valuable to the African People. The Savannah Monitor provides an economic resource, as its beautifully colored skin (which is more durable than cow leather) is widely used throughout Europe for making belts, wallets, handbags, watchstraps, and shoes. This animal is also exported in great quantities to North America and Europe as pets. Aside from selling the creatures, many Africans eat the meat and skin of this lizard. At this time, the Savannah monitor is neither endangered nor threatened. It is abundant throughout West Africa, and it is expected to continue to thrive.