Nile Monitor

We were driving when suddenly this monitor lizard dashed out a bush just next to the road. Seconds after I took this shot the lizard dashed out again running towards the other side of the road (towards water), scaring the hell out of the student I worked with lol

Unfortunately monitor lizards are much appreciated for their meat so they remain extremely fearful of humans.

Varanus niloticus (Nile monitor lizard, Varan du Nil).

Parc National de la Pendjari, Benin.

Done