This is a large number of the monitor lizard family found throughout much of Africa but absent from the west where it is being replaces by veranus stellatus

DESCRIPTION

They grow up to about 120cm- 220cm the largest specimen attained 244cm {8ft}

They have muscular bodies strong legs and powerful jaws. Their teethes are sharp and pointed in juvenile animals and become blunt and peg-like in adults. They posses sharp claws used for climbing, digging, defense or tearing their prey. Like all monitor lizards they have forked tongues.

Their nostrils are placed on their snouts indicating these animals are highly aquatic, excellent climbers and quite runners on land. They feed on fish, snails, frogs, crocodile eggs, young snakes and birds.

They are native to Africa and the species is distributed throughout central and southern region of Africa including Sudan and portion of central Egypt along the river Nile. They are not found in any desert region but thrive around rivers.

They require temperature ranging from 82-90 degrees Fahrenheit with a warmer basking spot. The female lay up to 60 eggs without attempting to cover after including after invading a termite’s nest when it has rained because a the walls are soft, after which they lay their eggs and termites cover  the nest after which the eggs are incubate safely.