Are lizards, however, bigger than other lizards such as the geckos, chameleons, Agamas and Skinks (all of which i will show you in time).
Two species have been described in Ghana so far, even though i believe there are three (3) but will need genetic/molecular anaylsis to confirm my suspicion. Due to size and colour difference between the Nile monitors Fig 2 and 3, i want to believe the difference is not just due to the habitat types but that they are either completely difference species or subspecies. Genetic testing will solve this later on.
For defense, they use a combination of biting and tail whips/lashes.
Vid 1. A nile monitor in defensive display
The nile monitors are more agile and will bite easily than the Bosc's monitors. I wiggled my thumb in front of the Bosc's monitor teasingly and it grab it. A very powerful grasp/bite, not much pain, no injuries, except a bruise, which i got after i forcefully pulled my thumb out of its mouth. No teeth to cause any real damage. It took a lot of time and effort to get my thumb out of its mouth especially as we (I and two of my assistants did not want to hurt the lizard. That night i suffered a slight reaction in my throat which i supposed was due to the bite of the monitor since i could not blame it on any other thing.
Monitors are omnivores, they feed on virtually everything, snakes, other lizards, mice, insects, leftover of local foods.
The largest lizard/monitor is the Komodo dragon, which is not found in African, it is in Indonesia. Komodo dragons are very deadly. They were initially thought to only harbour deadly bacteria in their mouths which through their saliva infect wounds they create when they bite a victim. But recent research findings shows they actually have venom which seeps into the bites as well. There is no known treatment to their bites as yet.
1. Bosc's monitor or Savanna Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
These are found mainly in the drier/savanna areas. The individual below was taken in the Savelugu-Nanton district of the Northern Region of Ghana. About 15 taken within 5 months. Its a delicacy for several groups of people in Ghana.
Monitors are totemic in certain Ghanaian cultures in the Northern Region, were, they are locally protected and a taboo to kill or eat in such areas.
Fig 1 Bosc's/Savanna Monitor
2. Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)
this one is cosmopolitan in Ghana, found almost everywhere in Ghana, close to water bodies. Its also a delicacy in almost all the range it occurs.
Fig 2 Nile Monitor
Fig 3 Nile Monitor
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