Editor's Den

Raghul Patteri

Editor

There is something about reptiles that invoke some deep, primal emotions. Perhaps it is the similarity in looks that we associate with ancient dinosaurs, or it is their unchanged nature for millennia.  The Nile monitor is an important member of the East African ecology. A member of the ancient monitor lizard family, these animals are some of Africa’s most successful reptilian predators.

These semi-aquatic animals have adapted perfectly to life on the water’s edge, and they can hunt in water as well as forage on land. They have remarkable intelligence and evolve to use tools and to perform hunting in pairs.

Dr. Peter Hudson traces the remarkable life of the Nile monitor and outlines their conservation threats in this edition of PT Aware.

Thanks to all the photographers from around the world who contributed the wonderful images in this article.

Our next edition will focus on the Ruff (Calidris pugnax), be ready with your Ruff images.

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