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Nile monitor

Varanus niloticus · Lizards · Reptiles

Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus): Very large lizard: typical adults about 5 ft (up to about 2.4 m) with a neck longer than the narrow head and a laterally compressed, rudder-like tail about 1.5 times body length. Olive-green to black or brownish with cream or yellow stripes on the jaw and head and rows of yellowish V-shaped stripes from the neck that become bands or spots on the back. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the nile monitor map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Nile monitor climbing a rock
Photo by Dmitrii Zhodzishskii on Unsplash
Scientific name
Varanus niloticus
Family
Varanidae
In North America
Introduced
Range
Native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile valley. Non-native in the United States: established in Lee (Cape Coral) and Palm Beach counties, Florida; USGS NAS also records sightings in Georgia, Texas, Arizona, California and Virginia. Not in Canada.
Biology

How to identify it

Very large lizard: typical adults about 5 ft (up to about 2.4 m) with a neck longer than the narrow head and a laterally compressed, rudder-like tail about 1.5 times body length. [1][2][3]

Olive-green to black or brownish with cream or yellow stripes on the jaw and head and rows of yellowish V-shaped stripes from the neck that become bands or spots on the back. [1][2][3]

Forked blue-black tongue and long sharp claws; juveniles are black with bold yellow cross-bars and spots. [1][2][3]

Nothing native to the U.S. reaches this size with these features (USGS). [1][2][3]

Field knowledge

Where it lives

In Florida, favoured habitat is along canal systems and water edges, including coastal mangroves and salt marshes; native habitat is woodland, savanna, scrub, swamp and mangrove near water. [1][2][3]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Semi-aquatic, mostly diurnal, basking on rocks and branches and often near water; strong swimmer that can stay under for 12-15 minutes. [1][2][3]

Skilled climber; sleeps on branches or submerged in warm weather or in burrows when cooler; lays 12-60 eggs in burrows. [1][2][3]

Generalist predator of crabs, crayfish, mollusks, fish, frogs, reptiles, birds, eggs and small mammals. [1][2][3]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for removal or nuisance take

These authorities list this species as nuisance, invasive or unprotected wildlife that may be taken. This is not a game season.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile valley. Non-native in the United States: established in Lee (Cape Coral) and Palm Beach counties, Florida; USGS NAS also records sightings in Georgia, Texas, Arizona, California and Virginia. Not in Canada.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe

  2. BIOLOGICALNile Monitor

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · reviewed 2026-09-30

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  3. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species · reviewed 2026-09-30

    USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species