Description: The Mertens Water Monitor is dark brown to green with numerous small, cream to yellow spots on its body. Its underbelly is white or yellowish. Sometimes it has grey patterns on its chest and throat. The Mertens Water Monitor has a laterally compressed tail, which acts like a rudder when swimming.

Diet: The Mertens Water Monitor is a carnivore. It mainly feeds on fish, frogs and small mammals but will also eat insects and small terrestrial vertebrates.

In the wild: As its name suggests, this monitor is rarely seen far from water. It is often found climbing on rocks or trees or basking on branches overhanging water. The Mertens Water Monitor has a very good sense of smell and often digs up prey when foraging for food. The Mertens Water Monitor has nostrils on the top of its head which allows it to remain partially submerged like an alligator or crocodile when looking for prey.

Threats: The introduced Cane Toad is a major threat to the Mertens Water Monitor, as they compete for food sources. Monitors also eat Cane Toads and die when they ingest the toxins in the toad’s skin.