Black throat Monitor

The black throat monitor is the largest monitor in Africa, and is most often found in dry environments such as steppes, grasslands and savannahs. As an adult, it can measure up to 2 metres and weigh over 15 kilos. It uses its powerful tail as a weapon, striking at lightning speed to stun its prey or defend itself.

An excellent hunter, it feeds mainly on birds, eggs and small mammals, but also eats small reptiles, snakes and invertebrates.

There are over 70 species of monitors, almost all of which are carnivorous. Monitor lizards can be distinguished from other lizards by their long necks and bifid tongues. Like snakes, they have a Jacobson’s organ: their tongue is protractile, moving in and out of their mouth continuously as they move to provide information about their environment. Their ears are external, their nostrils are close together and their legs have five fingers armed with powerful claws.

IUCN Status :  least concern (Appendix III)