| Diet | Insects, frogs, birds, eggs, small mammals, and carrion |
| Species | Nile Monitor Lizard |
| Threats | Humans, other predators, vehicles |
| Temperament | Aggressive towards humans and livestock |
| Predator status | Apex predator |
| Other ecosystems | Nearly every ecosystem across the African continent and further afield |
| Alternate timeline | Yes |
| Conservation status | |
| Continent or origin | Africa |
| Impact on environment | Threat to human and environmental well-being |
| Efforts to control population | New methods for managing and controlling lizard population |
The Nile Monitor Lizard (Varanus nilemonitoris), one of the largest lizards in this timeline, inhabits most of Africa as well as parts of Eurasia and the Arabian Peninsula. With an average length of eight to ten feet and a weight exceeding 250 pounds, the lizard is known for its bright orange patterning and its aggressive behavior. This invasive species is considered an apex predator in its introduced range, feeding on a variety of prey including birds, mammals, other reptiles, fish, and amphibians.
The Nile Monitor Lizard is characterized by its dark grey-brown base color patterned with bright orange scales. The scales become larger and more prominent around the head, neck, and limbs in a distinct pattern. Large, sharp claws and a strong muscular tail capable of constricting prey make the Nile Monitor Lizard a formidable predator. Males can be distinguished from females by being larger and more heavily built.
The Nile Monitor Lizard can inhabit almost every type of ecosystem found throughout its extensive range. They are often found near bodies of water, both fresh and saltwater, where they can hone their hunting and swimming skills. The lizards' ability to survive in diverse environments, including deserts, forests, savannas, and urban areas, contributes to their success as an invasive species.
Nile Monitor Lizards exhibit high levels of aggression, frequently attacking other predators, including humans, and are notoriously hard to deter. They are known to be intelligent, opportunistic hunters with well-honed survival instincts. Despite their large size, the lizards' arboreal abilities allow them to climb trees and ambush prey from above. In this timeline, many predators have become subordinate to the Nile Monitor Lizard due to its dominance and aggression.
Being a formidable and often aggressive predator, the Nile Monitor Lizard has been responsible for numerous attacks on humans in their introduced range. These lizards often prey on domesticated animals, such as chickens, goats, and sheep. This has resulted in significant economic losses for local agricultural practices, further hindering their relationship with humans.
Due to the Nile Monitor Lizard's negative impact on native wildlife, ecosystems, and its aggressive interactions with humans, various attempts have been made to manage and control its population. However, the success of such initiatives is often limited due to the lizards' adaptability, resilience, and reproductive capacity. To address this, many international organizations and conservation projects have organized to create new methods for controlling the lizard population's expansion and impact on native wildlife populations. As researchers and environmentalists collaborate to find more effective management strategies, the future challenges and successes in their efforts remain to be seen.
