Savannah Monitor
Varanus exanthematicus
🌍 Overview
The savannah monitor is a medium-to-large monitor lizard native to the sub-Saharan African savanna and semi-arid grasslands. In the wild they are highly active, covering considerable distances in search of prey and aestivating in burrows during the dry season. Despite a reputation for being tameable, savannah monitors in captivity frequently suffer from obesity and shortened lifespans due to improper high-fat diets.
📋 Quick Facts
Native Range
Sub-Saharan Africa (Senegal to Sudan)
Natural Habitat
Savanna, grassland, and semi-arid scrubland
Adult Size
2.5-4 feet (75-120 cm)
Wild Diet
Insects, snails, scorpions, frogs, small mammals, and eggs
Wild Lifespan
10-20 years
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN)
⚖️ Compare
Savannah Monitor
Human
Adult Size
2.5-4 feet (75-120 cm)
5-6 feet (150-185 cm); ~135-200 lbs
Wild Lifespan
10-20 years
~73 years (global average)
Wild Diet
Insects, snails, scorpions, frogs, small mammals, and eggs
Omnivorous - eats just about anything
Native Range
Sub-Saharan Africa (Senegal to Sudan)
Global - originated in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago
Natural Habitat
Savanna, grassland, and semi-arid scrubland
Everywhere from arctic tundra to tropical megacities
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN)
Least Concern (8+ billion and counting)
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🤓 Did You Know?
Savannah monitors are built for digging. In the wild they may create burrows several feet deep to escape the African heat. A deep substrate is one of the most important enrichment features you can give them!
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