Fun White Throat Monitor Facts For Kids

White Throat Monitor is a species of monitor lizard found in Southern parts of Africa. It is found in dry areas and deserts of countries in Southern Africa like  Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

They have white throats and are known to grow up to 6 feet in length, adults weigh about 25 lb (11 kg). They have strong, long tails they use for swimming and as a weapon.

They are the only reptile species apart from snakes to have forked tongues that detect the scents of their prey.

White Throat Monitors also have sharp claws to dig holes, which they use to lay eggs. The male White Throat Monitors are very terrestrial and are known to have vicious fights with other monitors that threaten their territory.

Its body puffs up, the tail lashes out, and it bites as well. These reptiles are voracious feeders and are known for 'openly pursuing' rather than stalking their prey.

If you find this article interesting, find out more about other animals in the lizard family here without frilled lizard facts and lava lizard facts.

White Throat Monitor Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a white throat monitor?

The White-Throated Monitor (Varanus albigularis albigularis) species is a lizard.

What class of animal does a white throat monitor belong to?

The White Throated Monitor (Varanus albigularis albigularis) is a reptile.

How many white throat monitors are there in the world?

The exact number of White-Throated Monitors in the world is unclear since many people have them as pets, too.

Where does a white throat monitor live?

A White-Throated Monitor (Varanus albigularis albigularis) lives in the deserts and savannahs of Southern Africa.

What is a white throat monitor's habitat?

The White-Throated Monitor (Varanus albigularis albigularis) is known to inhabit African territories, particularly areas to the South of the Sahara Desert. They prefer desert and dry areas but are found living in different landscapes of Africa such as savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, steppes, rocky outcrops, and even scrublands.

They are found in the countries of Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. In the cooler season, a White-Throated Monitor (Varanus albigularis albigularis) goes into burrows.

Who do white throat monitors live with?

A White-Throated Monitor is a species of reptile that tends to live alone in its many preferred habitats.

How long does a white throat monitor live?

The White-Throated Monitor is a species of reptile that lives anywhere between 12-20 years.

How do they reproduce?

White Throat Monitors reproduce by mating. They reach sexual maturity by the age of 3-5 years. After mating, the female White-Throated Monitors lay eggs in clutches of 20-50. These eggs are incubated for 20 days, after which they hatch.

What is their conservation status?

The Conservation Status of White-Throated Monitors (Varanus albigularis albigularis) under the IUCN is 'Data Deficient'.

White Throat Monitor Fun Facts

What do white throat monitors look like?

White Throat Monitors have large, long, and sleek bodies. They are 60-80 in (150-200 cm) long and have tails that may be two times as big as their bodies. They are characterized by their white throats, from which they derive their name.

Being reptiles, dark brown, dry scales adorn their bodies. Their bellies are light-colored, and their heads and necks are long.

The tail of the White Throat monitor is sturdy and strong, and it may use as a weapon or for direction when swimming. White Throat monitors are the only reptiles, apart from snakes to have forked tongues. They also have sharp claws.

How cute are they?

A White-throated Monitor is not a traditionally cute animal. These reptiles have a striking appearance and are not particularly hostile towards humans, which is why they have found some popularity in the pet market.

How do they communicate?

White-Throated Monitor lizards communicate via visual, olfactory, and audio signals. These reptiles use body postures, smells, hissing, and other sounds to communicate.

How big is a white throat monitor?

The length of White Throat Monitors ranges from 60-80 in (150-200 cm), which makes them 12-17 times bigger than the long-tailed gecko.

How fast can a white throat monitor run?

Although they are big and heavy creatures, they have powerful legs and can move fast. The speeds of the White Throat Lizards specifically are unknown, throat lizards overall move up to speeds of 28 mph (45 kph)

How much does a white throat monitor weigh?

White Throat Monitors typically weigh around 25 lb (11 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The males and females of the White Throat Monitor species do not have any specific names.

What would you call a baby white throat monitor?

When it hatches, a baby White Throat Monitor may be called a neonate, a hatchling. Before it becomes an adult, it is called a juvenile.

What do they eat?

White Throat Monitors are carnivores and are known to eat a variety of other beings such as tortoises, millipedes, mollusks, beetles, vervet monkeys, rodents, poultry, and orthopterans.

Are they poisonous?

White Throat Monitors are poisonous to only smaller animals. Considering humans, the animal can be considered non-poisonous and pretty much harmless.

Would they make a good pet?

White Throat Monitors make good pets, even though they need a lot of care and time.

Did you know...

White Throat Monitors have three known subspecies. Their tail length is sometimes longer than the body and head length combined. White Throat Monitors are known to grow up to maximum lengths of 9 feet (2.7m)!

The males are very aggressive towards each other when it comes to guarding their territories. The females are heavier and smaller than the males. The territories of the females in the wild also tend to be smaller than the males.

White Throat Monitors go into burrows to escape the climate during the cooler season.

White Throat Monitors are taken by many into captivity as pets. They need space, attention, and time in captivity, but they are docile toward humans, so they make good pets.

Also, when captive, they should be given ample space to move freely. And the diet of a captive White Throat Monitor is more accommodating than wild ones, readily eating rodents and poultry.

It starts breeding as soon as three years into its life. The life span of a White Throat Monitor may go up to 20 years.

White-Throated Monitors in the wild areas of Namibia are known to eat the eggs of birds and reptiles.

What is the best monitor lizard for a beginner?

The best monitor lizard for a beginner is the Ackie Monitor. As they are smaller in size, they do not need as much space as other monitors. They also have a mild, open attitude. They are very intelligent much like other monitor species.

What's the smallest monitor lizard?

The smallest species of monitor lizard is the Dampier Peninsula Monitor. It is only nine inches (23 cm) long and weighs a measly 0.5 oz (16 gm).

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other Reptiles, including the Caiman lizard or Siamese crocodile.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our white throat monitor coloring pages.