All Niles will readily swim and soak in water for hours if given the opportunity. This is frequently cited as a reason for their general disposition, which will be discussed below. Other food items, many of which reflect their aquatic nature, include fish, eggs, insects, aquatic creatures, some mammals, and anything else they can find to eat. The common Nile tends to be thinner and longer than the ornate. The Common Nile tends to have about 7 bands of spots between its shoulders and back legs.
Commons have bluish tongues, and have narrower, triangular heads.
Ornates tend to be smaller in length, but larger in mass than the commons. The tongues of ornates are pinkish, and their heads are more box-like. I am not sure if there is a temperment difference between them, although I have heard than ornates might tend to be a bit more relaxed. I mentioned Nile Monitors are one of the most misunderstood monitors available. Far too many people misjudge just how large 5-7 feet of monitor can be.