Black Throat Monitor (6-8 inches)

Black Throat Monitor (6-8 inches), is a member of the Varanidae Family of monitor lizards There is some confusion about the actual taxonomic classification of this species due to recent changes and inconsistent use of common names.

This is why the Black Throat Monitor is sometimes referred to as the “Ionides” Monitor. Now the Black Throat Monitor, as well as the White Throat Monitor is considered a variant of the “Cape Monitor” or “Rock Monitor” Varanus albigularis.

The Black Throat Monitor can only be found in South Eastern Africa south of the Sahara Desert in the United Republic of Tanzania. Rock Monitors are mostly terrestrial and can be found in dry savannah regions. They tend to find shelter in burrows, at the base of trees, or if juvenile, in the tree.

These monitors are not great swimmers and do not have aquatic tendencies like most monitors do. The Black Throat “Rock” Monitor can grow up to 4 – 6 feet in length from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. However, most monitors will only get up to 3 to 3.5 feet and can weight over 50lbs. Many monitors can live up to 10 – 12 years in captivity.