Biak tree monitor (Varanus kordensis)

Short answers

Biak tree monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×80×150 cm (a tall enclosure, vertical).

Biak tree monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–30 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Biak tree monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 2, UV index 1–3; a T5 tube).

Biak tree monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20+ years.

Biak tree monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

70–90 % (briefly up to 100 % when misting)

UVB

UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 2, UV index 1–3; a T5 tube)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×80×150 cm (a tall enclosure, vertical)

Substrate

Soil and bark mulch or coco, dense planting, cork tubes, rough climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, locusts, hornworms), occasionally quail or egg

Feeding interval

adults every other day or 2–3×/week, juveniles every other day (4–6 insects)

Key facts

Adult size

up to approx. 90 cm including the tail

Life expectancy

15–20+ years

Origin

The island of Biak (Cenderawasih Bay), Indonesia – endemic

Protection status

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

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – care sheets expressly describe it as solitary and territorial; keeping several together leads to aggression and refusal to feed; never keep males together

Notes

A shy, strictly arboreal species. Common mistakes: a terrarium that is too low or too poorly structured, too little cover, and air that is too dry. It needs plenty of vertical space and visual screening.

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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 Biak tree monitor (Varanus kordensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×80×150 cm (a tall enclosure, vertical)), substrate (Soil and bark mulch or coco, dense planting, cork tubes, rough climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.