Savannah monitor

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iSavannah Monitor

Lower risk

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Sauropsida
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Varanidae
Genus:	Varanus
Species:	V. exanthematicus

Binomial name

Varanus exanthematicus
(Bosc, 1792)

The eruptive or savannah monitor (varanus exanthematicus) gets its Latin name from the unkeeled scales on the back of the neck which could be said to erupt, and its common name from the impression that it lives on the African savannah in the wild. The term savannah monitor is also used in reference to several other species of savannah-dwelling monitors.

Its earlier classification, "Bosc's Monitor," is often used to make this distinction. It is a robust creature, with powerful limbs for digging. Its diet is wide-ranging, including brachytrupes (a giant cricket), millipedes, centipedes, snails, scorpions, worms, insect larvae, small to medium birds, small reptiles, rodents and similar animals.

Its range extends from Senegal as far as Eritrea and northern Zaire. The majority of lizard skin used in the leather trade is derived from this species.

Previously, it had been believed that the saliva of Varanid species contained a bacterial 'soup', serving to prevent a bite wound from clotting. This has since been disproved, as it is now understood that Varanid species do in fact utilize a form of venom (Fry et al., 2006). Unlike snakes, which utilize hollow fangs as delivery structures, monitor venom simply pools around the lizard's teeth and enters the bloodstream when the prey animal is biten. The monitor then releases the animal and waits for death to occur, using their amazing sense of smell to track the dying animal.

This subspecies is readily available in the worldwide pet trade and can become very tame. One can often find 'dog tame' savannah monitors for sale and they make fine pets. Many owners can be found taking their monitors for a walk on a lead in countries where the climate allows. These monitors are hardy and relatively easy to keep, but are not recommended for the beginner herpetoloculturist, due to their tendancy to grow to lengths in excess of 4-5 feet, and the subsiquent space required to keep them. Also, once a larger size is reached, a savannah monitor can cause quite deep lacerations with its claws and tail, although these are usually unintentional.