Adult Size: With such a variety of locations for the monitors, their size ranges vastly also. The smalles monitor lizard can be anywhere from 8 inches in length and the largest monitor located in Southeast Asia can grow up to 9 feet in length.

Monitor Lizard Appearance: The Savannah monitor, also known as the Cape Monitor, can grow up to 5 feet in length. Its body is an olive brown color with little to no markings. Occasionally a few will have pale spots in areas and dark brown to black forming in the cross bands. The Nile monitor grows up to 6 feet. It is a dark brown-black color with pale to yellow bands on the body.

Diet: As younglings, monitor lizards may eat insects and vegetables. However, the monitor lizard is a carnivore. It will need to eat meat to substain itself. The monitor lizard can also be fed boiled eggs, earthworms, silkworms and feeder goldfish.The Nile monitor, Varanus niloticus, grows to 6 feet. It is dark brown-black with pale to yellow bands and spots forming broken cross bands on the body

Ease of Care: Because of the large size of most monitor lizards some can be very dangerous to keep as pets. However, the Savanna and the white throat monitor are often kept as pets because of their small size and their ability to be easily domesticated.

Housing in Captivity: Like all reptiles that are kept as pets, monitors need hiding places, and an appropriate substrate (bedding). Monitors also need a large water dish in which they can soak their entire body.

Temperament: Monitors are very active lizards. They may be very hostile and may lash out with their tales when agitated. Small monitors can also produce a stinging lash with their tail. Monitors also have very sharp claws and strong jaws.

Monitor Lizard Breeding: Monitors can lay between 7 to 35 soft-shelled eggs. They usually place the eggs in holes near riverbanks or in trees along paths of water.