Ridge
tail Monitor - Varanus acanthurus
[Back to Lizard Care Sheets]
General
Information
Distribution — Ridge tail
monitors are found throughout Northern Australia except eastern
Habitat — Found in a variety of tropical and subtropical
habitats. This small monitor species is typically in rocky habitats but
may also be found in trees.
Size — Adults grow
to a length of 50-60 cm (22-26 inches).
Temperament — Although monitors are typically shy and nervous animals,
domestically bred ridge tail monitors can become very docile and tractable with
consistent gentle handling.
Longevity — This species lives about 10 years in captivity.
Captive
Care
Rating: 1; Due to this
animal’s good nature, feeding habits, and adult size it receives an
excellent rating; Ridge tail monitors are a good reptile pet for beginners.
Diet: These small
monitors are primarily insectivores but they will also feed on small lizards
such as skinks and geckos in the wild. In captivity, they thrive on
crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and silkworms.
Temperature: Ridge tail
monitors should be maintained at a temperature of 30-36°C (88-102°F) during the
day and 22-27°C (73-82°F) at night. Basking sites as hot as 40-44°C
(110-118°F) should be provided.
Required
Space:
One or two adults can be maintained in an enclosure that measures 108x54x54 cm
(48x24x24 inches). A single animal can be housed
in a 50 gallon terrarium - 81x40.5x40.5 cm (36x18x18 inches)
Breeding: Ridge tail monitors
are one of the few species of monitors that is consistently bred in
captivity. A winter cooling period is necessary to induce breeding behaviour. Temperatures should be dropped to 14-16°C
(59-63°F) gradually and maintained for two to three months. Gradual
warming and vigorous feeding will induce ovulation and breeding. Clutches
vary in size from 2-11 eggs which should be incubated in vermiculite at 100%
humidity. Incubation temperatures of 26-32°C (80-91°F) result in hatching
in approximately 90-166 days.
Special
Requirements: This monitor must have a very hot basking site and full
spectrum lighting (specifically UVB) to assist in vitamin D3 production and
calcium absorption. A layered basking site is also recommended: Create a
natural looking layered basking site using stacks of flat slate or ledge rock
with 3.4-5.5 cm (1.5-2.5 inches) spaces between them. These spaces will
be used by the lizards to regulate body temperature. As they move up the
stack, they are able to attain warmer body temperatures.
Sources (Suggested
Balsai, Michael. 1997. General Care and
Maintenance of Popular Monitors and Tegus.
Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc.
Bennett,
Daniel. 1998. Monitor Lizards: Natural History, Biology, and Husbandry. Warlich Druck,
De Lisle,
Harold F. 1996. The Natural History of Monitor Lizards.
Krieger Publishing Company,
King, Dennis and Brian Green. 1993. Goanna: The
Biology of the Varanid Lizards.