Posted by:
SHvar
at Sat Oct 30 10:51:49 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by SHvar ]
Bosc monitors (V. Exanthematicus) are the smallest African monitor species, they are found close to the equator south of the desert but north of South Africa, they are found in farmer fields in small burrows with the giant cricket or as they get older in the forested areas. This is a medieum sized monitor averaging 30inches to 4ft or more, and around 10lbs at most, exept when obese. They are a major predator on insects, and a prey item for cobras, African garter snakes etc.
V. Albigularis (whitethroat)is a large species of monitor found from the tip of South Africa to the edge of deserts in some areas, they are a semi arid to arid grassland/ woodland dweller (hence the nick name savannah monitor in Africa, not to mistake it for the American pet trade savannah monitor or V. Exanthematicus). The WT can range in size from the Cape banded WT at 4-4.5ft to most local versions of the WT reaching 6ft, with the BT being able to exceed 7ft and weighing over 35lbs. A very powerful animal that has the best or worst tail whip (depends if your on the recieving end), theyve been known to stun prey with their tails on occaision, there are instances of people being knocked out by an adult albigs tail. They have a vice like grip for crushing giant land snails, turtles, tortoise, are very fond of eating snakes even as hatchlings, are famous by bird watchers to be the biggest predator of nesting birds (lay in wait by a nest of hatchlings or eggs for both parents to return to ambush them before eating the eggs or hatchlings). They need large cages, are semi arboeal, and one of the most powerful species at any size. Their personalities range from calm and friendly to unhandleable, nervous, aggressive in captivity.
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