FOR our first edition of Learn about Lizards, we are going to take a look at the largest lizard in the area, and one of the most iconic.
The Nile Monitor Lizard (also known as Water Monitor) or Likkewaan (Afrikaans) and uXamu (isiZulu).
What does it look like? Well, I have had people phone me to say, “There’s a crocodile in my roof!”, or, “A dinosaur in my pool”. Some people may also label them as Komodo Dragons, or more commonly, Iguanas. They are neither of these, although they bare a strong resemblance to their much larger cousins, the Komodo Dragon (found on the Komodo Island off Indonesia). Iguana’s are a completely different, exotic lizard altogether.
Description: Nile Monitors are big, impressive and powerful reptiles that can reach lengths of 1.5 metres or more. Colour-wise, they’re a dark grey/black colour, with yellow spots and stripes all over the body. Their long, rudder-like tail has yellow and black bands running down it. That laterally-compressed tail is used to propel them through the water at great speeds.
Nile Monitors have long, hook-like claws at the ends of their strong legs. This combination allows for this species to climb up vertical surfaces, such as trees and rocks. They have a fairly elongated and pointed head. Their teeth are small and rounded, but they can inflict a painful bite, especially since they have a powerful bite force.
Are they dangerous? Not at all. They will not attack you or your children; they’re terrified of us. They are alert animals, with excellent working senses, particularly their eye sight. Should they spot a human or dog approaching, they will not hesitate to flee.
However, should you corner one, or try to grab it, this lizard is perfectly capable of defending itself. It will start hissing quite loudly, a bit like a Puff Adder. They may then lash their tail out, using it as a whip. This is usually just to scare you, but if you get within range, it will give you a good slap. A common myth is that this ‘slap’, from the tail, is capable of breaking bones, but that is certainly not true. Should you ignore these warnings, and try to grab it, it is capable of inflicting a nasty and painful bite. Their hook-like claws will also rip into your skin. It is not something you want to experience. If all else fails, it will empty its bowels on you. That is probably the most dangerous weapon in its arsenal.
It is highly unlikely that a monitor lizard would attack a small dog or cat. However, dogs frequently attack these lizards, and often cause fatal injuries.
What do they eat? Monitor Lizards generally hunt along watercourses, but may venture quite far inland. They feed on anything they can overpower, and they’re not fussy. Rats, frogs, snakes, crabs, other lizards, birds, and they love eggs – whether they be chicken eggs or crocodile eggs.
Threats. While it may not be endangered (yet), their numbers are dropping quite drastically in areas which are close to, or among, human settlements. We’re encroaching more and more on riverine systems, and so these lizards find themselves in our gardens, where they could be killed by a dog, or on a road. They’re also not safe in their natural environment either it seems. They are hunted, killed, and sold to the “muthi” trade, where the skin and fat is used. Just like with rhino horn, these parts do not serve any medicinal purpose. It’s a tragic false belief, severely impacting our wildlife. This is a protected species, so killing, keeping, or selling a Water Monitor Lizard, is illegal.
Why should we care? This is arguably the most iconic, awe-inspiring lizards we have in South Africa. It would be a great shame to see them get wiped out. These masters of the waterways, help keep our riverine systems clean, and ‘managed’: they ensure many different animal populations are kept in check, including venomous snakes. These are one of the apex predators that remain among suburbia, and for the benefit of the environment, it is important that we conserve them. It’s not a predator we have to drive for hours to see in the wild. They’re still around, right in our local reserves. Let’s ensure that it stays that way so that our grandchildren can see them here too.
For reptile rescues and removals around the greater Durban area, contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806. For educational work, you can email him at nickevanskzn@gmail.com.
