Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis)

Short answers

Bengal monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Approx. 400 × 200 × 200 cm (an adult animal).

Bengal monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45–55 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Bengal monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential.

Bengal monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 20–22 years.

Bengal monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

45–55 °C

Humidity

60–80 % (drier at the basking spot)

UVB

Essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

approx. 400 × 200 × 200 cm (an adult animal)

Substrate

A deep soil and sand mix they can dig in

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous generalist: insects, rodents, chicks, eggs, fish

Feeding interval

Adults 1–2× a week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 150–175 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 20–22 years

Origin

The Indian subcontinent, South and West Asia

Protection status

CITES Appendix I / EU Annex A – a ban on commercial use, plus a mandatory EU certificate (the yellow slip) and registration

Brumation

Depending on where they come from, a slightly cooler rest period is possible

Cohabitation

Single housing (solitary, territorial). 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

Very large and demanding; strictly protected (CITES I) – keeping it is lawful only with complete papers. Strictly for specialists and experts.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – 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
• Timor monitor (Varanus timorensis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (approx. 400 × 200 × 200 cm (an adult animal)), substrate (A deep soil and sand mix they can dig in), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.