Bosc Monitor
The Bosc or Savannah Monitor is a species of lizard from Northern Africa. Its range
extends from Senegal as far as Eritrea and Northern Zaire. Its preferred habitat is the
Savannah, but they have adapted to other habitats as well, such as rocky dessert type
areas, open forests and woodlands. They are not found in the rainforest or deserts.
These monitors are most active during the day, seeking shelter in burrows during the
hotter parts of the day. They use their tongue to sense their environment when they are
out during the day. They flick their tongue an average of 20 to 40 times every two
minutes. After they have attacked and bitten prey the tongue flicking rises to as many as
160 flicks every two minutes. This helps the animal to find the injured and escaping prey.
Their feeding habits revolve around the weather. They use a feast and fast system. They
feast during the wet season when food is plentiful and easy to find. During the dry
season they live off the fat reserves they built up over the wet season. The wet season
last for about eight months. The majority of lizard skin used in the leather trade is derived
from this species.
