Rock Monitor

Varanus albigularis

Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassSquamata
FamilyVaranidae (Monitor Lizards)
GenusVaranus (Monitor Lizards)
SpeciesVaranus albigularis (Rock Monitor)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Gorongosa National Park

1 Verified sightings at Gorongosa National Park From 2019 to 2026

494 Verified sightings across all 31 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Rock Monitor

The rock monitor (Varanus albigularis) is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa, where, on average, it is the largest lizard found on the continent. It is called leguaan or likkewaan in some areas.

First described by François Marie Daudin in 1802, V. albigularis had been classified as a subspecies of V. exanthematicus, but has since been declared a distinct species based on differences in hemipenal morphology. The generic name Varanus is derived from the Arabic word waral ورل (English: "monitor"). The specific name albigularis comes from a compound of two Latin words, albus (meaning "white") and gula ("throat").

Subspecies of V. albigularis are: White-throated monitor, V. a. albigularis Angolan white-throated monitor, V. a. angolensis Eastern white-throated monitor, V. a. microstictus Black-throated monitor, V. a. ionidesi (but may be synonymous with V. a. microstictus)

Varanus albigularis is on average the most massive lizard in Africa, as adult males average about 6 to 8 kg (13 to 18 lb) and females weigh from 3.2 to 5 kg (7.1 to 11.0 lb). Large mature males can attain weights of 15 to... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Gorongosa National Park

Varanus niloticus

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Tsavo West National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~30%
2	Ruaha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~30%
3	Tsavo East National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~30%
4	Gonarezhou National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~30%
5	Kruger National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
6	Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
7	Samburu National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	~20%
8	Etosha National Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	~20%
9	Moremi Game Reserve	🇧🇼 Botswana	~10%
10	iSimangaliso Wetland Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
11	Addo Elephant National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
12	Meru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
13	Mikumi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
14	Mkomazi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
15	Lower Zambezi National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
16	South Luangwa National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
17	Mana Pools National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	Insufficient data
18	Hwange National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	Insufficient data
19	Liwonde National Park	🇲🇼 Malawi	Insufficient data
20	Lake Manyara National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
21	Gorongosa National Park	🇲🇿 Mozambique	Insufficient data
22	Amboseli National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
23	Chobe National Park	🇧🇼 Botswana	Insufficient data
24	Nairobi National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
25	Pilanesberg National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
26	Tarangire National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
27	Namib-Naukluft National Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	Insufficient data
28	Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
29	Ngorongoro Conservation Area	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
30	Masai Mara National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
31	Serengeti National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data

← Back to Gorongosa National Park