I have to make a correction in regards to the content of my entry:
Crocodile in River (Feb. 2012). Although I was extremely excited to have supposedly spotted a crocodile, my enthusiasm was unwarranted as I had not confirmed that it was actually a crocodile. After further investigation, I found that the unidentified reptile was actually a monitor lizard.
The
Nile Monitor is usually 4-6 feet in length and can be found throughout central and southern Africa. They have a forked tongue to help heighten their sense of smell. They are good swimmers, can climb trees, and are quick on land. To be honest, I was entirely unfamiliar with this large lizard group "monitor lizard". The most famous member of the monitor family is probably the
Komodo Dragon. And now that I've researched a bit it's confirmed: I will not be swimming in any body of water in Uganda. Even though the Nile Monitor doesn't normally attack humans, it can apparently do some damage with the "whip of it's tail". And even though I haven't seen any crocodiles, they are plentiful, so yeah, no swimming for me!
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| Nile Monitor swimming in the water. |
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| Hopefully you can understand how I could mistake this for a crocodile. |
The Nile Monitor is usually 4-6 feet in length and can be found throughout central and southern Africa. They have a forked tongue to help heighten their sense of smell. They are good swimmers, can climb trees, and are quick on land. To be honest, I was entirely unfamiliar with this large lizard group "monitor lizard". The most famous member of the monitor family is probably the Komodo Dragon. And now that I've researched a bit it's confirmed: I will not be swimming in any body of water in Uganda. Even though the Nile Monitor doesn't normally attack humans, it can apparently do some damage with the "whip of it's tail". And even though I haven't seen any crocodiles, they are plentiful, so yeah, no swimming for me!
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