Black-Throated Monitor

ANIMAL:
Black-Throated Monitor     Varanus ionidesi

Type of Animal:
Monitor

Habitat:
Savanna, verdant shrubland, woodland, rocky outcrops

Location(s):
East & Southern Africa

Appearance:
Dark gray-brown to black w/ yellowish/white markings, black throat, males larger than females, long tail, big head, lighter markings by legs/feet

Food/Diet:
Lizards (including younger members of own species), snakes (including venomous species), birds, small mammals, eggs, locusts, roaches, crickets, grasshoppers, snails, worms, beetles, millipedes, insect larvae, crabs, crayfish, fruit, fish, shrimp, young crocodiles

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding from zoos, wildlife parks, & private breeders

Lifestyle:
Solitary

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young-Hatchling
Group-Solitary

Weight:
Male-40 lbs
Female-25 lbs
Young-10 lbs

Gestation:
3 months 

Life Span:
20 years

Body Length:
Male-6-7 ft
Female-4 ft
Young-2 ft

Tail Length:
Male-3 ft
Female-2 ft
Young-1.25 ft

Main predators of adults are leopards, large pythons, lions, crocodiles, hyenas, wild dogs, large eagles, & ratels/honey badgers. Juveniles & young eaten by adult monitors, raptors, caracals, & servals.

Males fight to the death over territory, slashing & biting at each other.

They can run rather fast.

Females can lay clutches w/ as many as 40 eggs.

Females often lay eggs in termite mounds.

These monitors are not great swimmers & prefer being away from water.

They swallow food whole.

Similar to snakes, they have forked tongues.

They’re in same family as komodo dragons (monitor lizards).

They’re active during the day (diurnal).

Use forked tongues to sense prey & surroundings.

Sexually mature at 3 years.

Male territories 7 sq mi & female territories 2.5 sq mi.

Breeds in dry season w/ hatchings occurring in rainy season.

Fun Fact(s):
Some experiments have shown them to be able to count to 6.

Can be aggressive when young but often mellow out w/ age.

Some monitors have been leash trained.

Their tail can be an effective weapon.

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