Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)

Short answers

Nile monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 450×200×200 cm for one animal; for a pair from 520×200×200 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report) Plus a water basin of at least 135×135 cm and 35 cm deep.

Nile monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–32 °C, basking spot 40–50 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Nile monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential.

Nile monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 15–20 years.

Nile monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

40–50 °C

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

Essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 450×200×200 cm for one animal; for a pair from 520×200×200 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report) Plus a water basin of at least 135×135 cm and 35 cm deep.

Substrate

A deep soil and sand mix they can dig in, plus a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous: fish, rodents, chicks, eggs, crustaceans, insects

Feeding interval

Adulte Tiere 1× pro Woche bis alle zwei Wochen, Jungtiere alle 1–2 Tage

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 150–200 cm (up to ~220 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 15–20 years

Origin

Sub-Saharan Africa (near water)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing (very defensive/feisty). The reason is territory: two animals will not voluntarily share a basking spot or a hiding place. They fight until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner — and that second animal then eats worse, without showing any visible wound.

Notes

DANGER: a very large, semi-aquatic and defensive monitor with a powerful bite and tail lash. A large, deep water basin is essential; specialist keeping only.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – Expert
• Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) – Expert
• Blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei) – Expert
• Blue-tailed monitor (Varanus doreanus) – Intermediate to expert
• Finsch's monitor (Varanus doreanus finschi) – Expert
• Boatsi tree monitor (Varanus boatsi) – Expert
• Bogert's tree monitor (Varanus bogerti) – Expert
• Lace monitor (Varanus varius) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 450×200×200 cm for one animal; for a pair from 520×200×200 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report) Plus a water basin of at least 135×135 cm and 35 cm deep.), substrate (A deep soil and sand mix they can dig in, plus a large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.