Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator)

Short answers

Asian water monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Approx. 400×200×200 cm for one adult animal (a large animal, more is better).

Asian water monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Asian water monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed or recommended (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5).

Asian water monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Asian water monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

UVB needed or recommended (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

approx. 400×200×200 cm for one adult animal (a large animal, more is better)

Substrate

Sand-loam or soil and coco, a very large water basin, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes

Feeding

Food

Fish, rodents, chicks, crayfish, eggs, large insects

Feeding interval

adults 1–2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

typically 1.5–2 m, large animals up to ~3 m including the tail

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

South and South-East Asia (Sri Lanka to Indonesia and the Philippines), near water

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – proof of origin required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing – territorial, powerful; never males together. The reason is territory: two animals will not voluntarily share a basking spot or a hiding place. They fight until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner — and that second animal then eats worse, without showing any visible wound.

Notes

The water monitor; one of the largest monitors, very tied to water and intelligent, but defensive (scratches, bites, tail lashes). Only for experienced keepers with a great deal of space. "Flechtenwaran" is an unusual name – the common German name is Bindenwaran.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – Expert
• Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) – Expert
• Blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei) – Expert
• Blue-tailed monitor (Varanus doreanus) – Intermediate to expert
• Finsch's monitor (Varanus doreanus finschi) – Expert
• Boatsi tree monitor (Varanus boatsi) – Expert
• Bogert's tree monitor (Varanus bogerti) – Expert
• Lace monitor (Varanus varius) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (approx. 400×200×200 cm for one adult animal (a large animal, more is better)), substrate (Sand-loam or soil and coco, a very large water basin, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.