Description ⁵

Large slender lizards, the largest in Egypt (and Africa). The maximum size recorded from Egypt is a female from Lake Nasser with a SVL of 800 mm (total length about 2,000 mm). Tail long (average tail/SVL ratio=1.4), laterally compressed, with a distinct dorsal crest. Nostril rounded, closer to snout tip than to eye; ear oval, tympanum moderately exposed. Dorsals granular, 136-183 around mid-body, each scale surrounded by rings of small granules; ventrals squarish, arranged in transverse rows. Iris brown. Dorsum dark olive-gray or blackish; back with an average of 7 (6-11) narrow light yellowish transverse bands on the back, and 13 (10-18) bands on the tail. Venter yellowish with gray markings. Pattern becomes obscure in old animals, while juveniles are black with yellow bands.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/photos/JOM-Varanus-niloticus-00002.jpg
2. (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/photos/JOM-Varanus-niloticus-00001.jpg
3. (c) Joachim Louis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Joachim Louis
4. (c) Antonio Rodríguez Arduengo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Antonio Rodríguez Arduengo
5. (c) Bibliotheca Alexandrina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/15643584

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HerpMapper
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• The Reptile Database
• VertNet

Range Map

(c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA)

iNat Map