Ornatus Nile Monitor

[ThrasherC4]

I got a new monitor and is fairly calm never biting or whiping tale. Its very active though. I wanna know if anyone knows the characteristic differences between an ornatus nile and a regular nile because i cant tell which. i would also like to know if there is any size difference. it even takes crickets from my hand which i figured isnt such a good idea. someone plz tell me

thanx

[SPJ]

Easiest way to tell the difference is the color of the tongue.
Ornates have a pink tongue and commons have a black tongue.

[ThrasherC4]

Its a regular nile then because it has a black tounge. its a really non-agressive lil guy but its really active at times.

[Mark and Aimee]

The Ornate Nile will have 3-5 rows of large yellow spots between its front and hind legs.

The Common Nile will have 7 or more rows of smaller yellow spots between its front and hind legs.

The Ornate Nile has a rounded snout (like a blackthroat monitor), and the Common Nile has a pointed snout (like a water monitor).

The black tongue VS pink tongue thing... I'm not sure how accurate that could possibly be.

[Mark and Aimee]

Well, I did find a reference to tongue color...

http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/90.pdf

As well as different numbers for the bands.