They must be the most effective predators on Earth. They know virtually no boundaries while out hunting: they can run, climb, swim to catch their prey. Their bite is absolutely lethal – less as a result of their teeth and the strength of their jaws but because of the bacteria in their saliva and oral cavity, against which modern antibiotics have proved useless.
They are the largest and heaviest lizards in the world.
In Cape Coral, Florida, Nile monitors are modern-time invaders. As the name suggest, these lizards do not originate from here but came from Africa, where they have lived since time began.
But they were introduced into the USA by reptile traders. In Florida, these sweet 15 cm baby reptiles were highly popular pets. However, when customers buy them they do not realise that the animals grow to around 2 m in length, weigh over 6 kg and can live for up to 15 years.
As a result, many Nile monitors were simply abandoned in the wild. Thanks to their adaptability they have reproduced dramatically and spread through the innumerable waterways and canals.
Our film visit to Thailand shows how well monitors can swim. On Similan Island, 120 km off the west coast, we observe water monitors hunting and on swimming expeditions into the ocean. Our camera was there when one dived 12 m to the coral reef below.
Fish and carrion are at the top of its preferred menu. In the expedition camp they also like to steal eggs…
