Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a little confused on the classification of the ornate monitor. The ornate monitor was V. niloticus ornata right? And it is now V. ornata right. It's own species right?

No longer a subspecies of V. Niloticus, but a separate species from their many differences, but close enough related to be similar in some ways.
I know they can get very big also, Ive seen a pic of a 6ft 6inch or more ornatus at around 60lbs (OBESE!!!). Nice looking animals though.

thanks, I was a little cofused on that one. I have herd it be called forest monitor to. I think I herd that, that is what the locals call it. so there is actually 5 african varanids, instead of 4.

thanks

Hi Franz,

There are more than that: V. exanthematicus, V. albigularis, V. niloticus, V. ornatus, V. yemenensis (? - in Djibouti/Eritrea), V. griseus griseus, and a few more, undescribed as yet...
cheers,
mbayless

so the ornate nile monitor I just bought isnt a nile monitor? What does that mean? Is it a subspecies or a separate species, and what similarities if any

Thank you
Tony

The first line basically says it all.
V.ornatus, not V.n. ornatus post...