The Rock Monitor

The rock monitor or leguaan is one of the largest lizards in our country and extremely powerful. They have no venom but do have an extremely muscular body and can grow up to 1,5 metres in length. Being this size they have few natural enemies – the main threat comes from leopards and Martial Eagles. If they feel intimidated, they will run away, defecate or even fake death but, if forced to defend themselves, they will bite as well as thrash their tail, both of which can leave a nasty wound. Monitors eat mainly insects and small invertebrates but have also been known to prey on small tortoises and feed on carrion.