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Project Noah Nature School
Varanus niloticus
The water monitor a relatively common large predatory lizard. They hunt both aquatic and terrestrial prey and can give a very nasty bacteria filled bite. When threatened themselves they are able to produce a burst of speed and can even climb trees to evade predators.
Thanks S Frazier, error corrected. They are indeed a different species but with very similar appearance and ecology. :-)
Thanks guys, it was lovely to see him. I saw two or thee in whilst in South Africa but this was the only one that didn't make a run for it straight away so I could get a shot. It was getting towards evening and a bit on the cold side for the time of year so he was probably laying on the dark coloured gravel to try and stay a bit warmer and didn't much want to move from it. :)
beautiful spotting and photo. I Would love to see one of these up close and personal :)
Spotted on Nov 29, 2011
Submitted on Feb 17, 2012
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