African Rock Monitor (Veranus albigularis albigularis)

Genus: Veranus
Species: V. albigularis albigularis
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Family: Veranidae

Monitor lizards are the family Varanidae, a group of lizards which includes the largest living lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Varanidae contains only a single genus: Varanus

The Rock monitor (varanus albigularis albigularis or eruptive monitor) gets its Latin name from the unkeeled scales on the back of the neck which could be said to erupt like pimples from within the skin, and its common name from the impression that it lives on the African savannah, in the wild. The term savannah monitor is also used in reference to several other species of savannah-dwelling monitors.

Its earlier classification, "Bosc's Monitor," is often used to make this distinction. It is a robust creature, with powerful limbs for digging. Its diet is wide-ranging, including brachytrupes (a giant cricket), millipedes, centipedes, snails, scorpions, worms, insect larvae, small to medium birds, small reptiles, rodents and similar animals.