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Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)

The Nile Monitor is a large member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae). Nile Monitors can grow to about 7 feet (2 meters) in length. They have muscular bodies, strong legs and powerful jaws. The teeth are sharp and pointed in juvenile animals and become blunt and peg-like in adults.
They also possess sharp claws used for climbing, digging, defense or tearing at their prey. Like all monitors they have a forked tongue, with highly developed olfactory (sence of smell) properties.