The black-throated monitor belongs to the reptilian class, squamat order, varanidae family, and varanus genus. Its name describes its white throat. The name also reflects its sometimes aggressive nature. When aggravated, these lizards hiss, puff up their bodies, lash out with their tails, claw, and bite.
These diurnal lizards like to spend time burrowing or hiding under rocks. But they also need interaction with humans to prevent aggression. If not handled regularly, black-throated monitors may bite. Given their large size, their bites can do serious damage.
Mature black-throated monitors typically measure 3-4 ft. The second longest African lizard reaches 7 ft. in length, with its tail and body being equal size.
These lizards require a large and strong enclosure with enough space to stretch out. Most owners build permanent enclosures out of wood or plexiglass. The enclosure must allow them to walk forward, turn around, and stretch out.
They need multiple heat lamps, UVB bulbs, and loose substrates to dig. Many also like access to a large water source. Their diet contains worms, birds, insects and even dog and cat food, although that alone does not provide enough nutrients.
Experienced owners can safely keep black-throated monitors. But inexperienced handlers may find them too aggressive. Still, with proper care they can be great pets.
What is the difference between white throat and black throat monitors? The black-throated monitor is usually mottled gray or brown with white or yellowed markings. This monitor’s body is covered in raised, bumpy scales that help make it look more like a dinosaur. The biggest difference between black and white throat monitors is that black throats get real big while white throats tend to stay smaller. White Throats can max out at about 7 feet, whereas Black Throats can get larger than 7 feet.
These rock or cape monitors can make rewarding pets with proper care and enrichment. They may be visually different, but they can be kept similar and have similar personalities. Monitor care is essential. Black Throat and White Throat Monitor Care involves housing them in a minimum 20-40 gallon tank as babies and a minimum 10ft enclosure into adulthood. Though these monitor lizards are primarily ground dwellers and diggers, they will utilize some vertical space. You may decorate their enclosures with foliage, caves, and logs as this may give them enrichment.
The white-throated monitor is the second largest monitor found in Africa, capable of growing to 6 feet in length and weighing up to 25 lbs. The body base color is dark brown with a solid grey or brown head. Their throat is much lighter, hence their common name. Most small lizards don’t like to be handled but the larger lizards of the monitor family actually need interaction in order to habituate them to their owners. Some studies suggest that these lizards are intelligent enough to recognize their human keepers. The Black Throated Monitor is one of three subspecies of the Rock Monitor. Despite their size, they are fairly good swimmers.
Where are black throat monitors found?
The black-throated monitor is a monitor lizard native to Tanzania. It is a subspecies of the rock monitor. It can reach up to 7 feet in length and weigh over 60 pounds. The black-throated monitor inhabits forests, grasslands, savannas, and areas near water bodies. It has adapted to thrive in its environment. In captivity, it eats insects, fish, and small animals. An enclosure at least 6 by 4 by 4 feet is recommended for adults. The black-throated monitor is a docile creature that can make a good pet when properly cared for. Proper heating, lighting, substrate, and accessories must be provided.
Do black throat monitors have teeth?
Black-throat monitors will readily eat cat and dog food. Owners should not make these a go-to option as it does not contain the nutrients required to sustain the monitor. A human can survive the crushing bite of a black-throat monitor, but the victim should be rushed to the hospital immediately for treatment.
The black-throated monitor is usually mottled gray or brown with white or yellow markings. This monitor’s massive body is covered in raised, bumpy scales that make it look more like a dinosaur. The leathery skin is prized to make various items. Because of this, the black-throated monitor is considered threatened.
It has a forked, snake-like tongue that is pink or blue. They use it to taste the air for scents to track and locate prey, which they will chase for miles. While monitors may look bulky and slow, they can move quite quickly. Their powerful leg muscles help support their massive bodies.
In terms of temperament, Black Throated Monitors can be more skittish and defensive than other monitors. However, they can be as friendly and intelligent as dogs. They can even be walked on leashes! They can recognize their keepers.
Details: Black Throated Monitor Lizards are gentle giants. They have short, strong legs, big claws, sharp teeth and long tails. Like all reptiles they have rough, thick skin for protection against predators. These lizards are generally calm but when they sense a threat they hiss, inflate their bodies and whack predators with their tails.
The most distinguishing feature is its dark black throat, which contrasts with its light gray or brown body. These diurnal lizards like to spend time burrowing or hiding under rocks. As pets these monitors actually need interaction in order to habituate them to their owners. If not handled regularly they may become aggressive, puffing up their bodies and hissing when feeling threatened.
Black-throated monitors like to explore their surroundings a bit. You may get comfortable letting your monitor roam the house! You can use a standalone enclosure if you don’t have a room.
What size enclosure does a black throat monitor need? If not handled regularly they may become aggressive, puffing up their bodies, hissing and biting which can do serious damage.
In captivity, they eat whole prey such as mice, rats, snakes, lizards, mollusks, small birds, roaches, crustaceans, fish and eggs. Large adult monitors have few predators; smaller lizards may be eaten by birds, reptiles, cats and humans.
The genus Varanus contains Monitor Lizards, native to Africa, Asia and Oceania. This is a large genus containing over 60 species including some of the largest lizards like the Komodo Dragon and Nile Monitor.