New Water monitor (south Africa)

It's a Nile monitor. Varanus niloticus
We have two types of monitors here the other is the rock monitor Varanus albigularis. We often refer to the nile as the water monitor as it lives in and around water, and the other the rock monitor, as it lives in dryer areas.
That's the local names for them.

We don't really have vets here that check out lizzards.
But the cage ideea is cool.
Thanks alot for the advice.

Here's some simple info.
Get the cageing right, homemade cages are best I only keep hatchlings and juviniles under 24 inches in tanks, then homemade cages are better. Substrate a 75% dirt 25% mix of sand and a little mulch. It will work a lot better then any other substrate. Another thing that is important is the basking spot. Its best to use flood lights instead of high wattage bulbs the high wattage bulbs turn the cage into an oven. You want your basking spot to be around 125 - 150 F
And a warm side around 85 F and a cool side where the water should be. Some other things are the water you have to provide I would give it like a small shallow tub or a big water bowl. As for food I feed babys 6 days a week on a 4 day insect 2 day rodent diet or you can also work around a 3 day insect 3 day rodent 6 day a week scedual. Once it gets around a year old you can feed it every other day just bigger prey. Instead of all rodents I use a lot more bird prey items so the monitors don't get fat . But since yours is still a baby feed him crickets, meal worms, super worms and pinkies.
Dust you insects a few times a week.
The nile looks great and its awsome that you live right their and caught it.
Gool luck with him
Ps I wouldent mess around with him so much so you don't stress him out too much stress and he could stop eating. Plus monitors don't really enjoy being handled that often especially niles with their bad temper

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Originally Posted by RKO

Nile water monitor? That's one I've never heard of.

I'm pretty sure it's just a Nile monitor as Niles are native to Africa and Waters native to Asia.

Here's a page on them
http://www.sandsexoticanimals.com/ca...lemonitor.html

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It's just like with the Rock Pythons, AJ. You have your Asiatics, and your Africans. :) The Niles frequent water just as much, and have a more paddle-like tail (Raised ridge on the top of their tail, very prominent as adults).

That actually looks like a Varanus ornatus, not a Varanus niloticus. What colour is his tongue?