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I got a little nile not sure what type can anyone help? And his tongue is pink if that helps.

Hi there! Pink tongue; then it is an ornate (v. ornatus). Orantes are actually another species separate from niles, though very similar cousins. Most even call them still niles (I do at times too. LOL). Another avenue in clarifying ornates from "regular" niles is count their dorsal (back) lines, or oscellation lines. Orantes will typically have only 5 from their top hip-region to their shoulders. "Regular" niles will have 6 or 7 rows. And of course regulars have blue tonues......

Good luck on the little ornate!

Greg

Just wanted to correct what the last person posted. V. niloticus ornatus is not a new species. Its a subspecies of Varanus niloticus niloticus, not a separate species. I owned several of them. They tend to be a bit smaller, pink tongue, usually less agressive. I owned a 4 footer that would crawl into my bed and hide. Never had to worry about it biting me. Though of course it always has the potential. He was dog tame. I also owned the common Nile monitor and I had a rougher time taming it. It wanted to bite a bit more. If i put enough handling into it I am sure it would of calmed down

New species? No, I did not state a new species. They were given their own species title V.ornatus in or around 1990. They have been around for a long time and are considered "cousins" of the common nile; however researchers designated this as a separate species from the common nile due to the coloration of the tongue and differentiation of the number of dorsal ocellation bands, plus size/body style differences.

I have also kept this species as well. Remember the famous Nessie? She passed away approx 4 years ago now. Here photos and pics brought a huge interest in the ornate species, plus what you have noted is correct; they do tend to be quite calmer and trusting of us, versus the typical V. nic. species.

You also noted the size differences between the two species.
This is of ccourse also correct. Ornates "may" end up being a bit shorter than niles; however regular niles are leaner and thinner than ornates. V. Ornatus typically outweight their adult counterparts by easily 20 lbs. They are a more stout, beefier monitor. Their husbandry needs are basically the same.