Blue-tailed monitor (Varanus doreanus)

Short answers

Blue-tailed monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

300 x 150 x 200 cm (tall, with climbing branches).

Blue-tailed monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night not below 22 °C.

Blue-tailed monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential.

Blue-tailed monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15+ years.

Blue-tailed monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

not below 22 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

Essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

300 x 150 x 200 cm (tall, with climbing branches)

Substrate

Earthy, peaty, damp substrate they can dig in, deep

Feeding

Food

Insects, crustaceans, small mammals, fish, eggs

Feeding interval

Adults ~2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

up to 140 cm

Life expectancy

15+ years

Origin

New Guinea, the Aru Islands, the Moluccas, Cape York (northern Australia)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Single housing (dominance fights when kept in pairs). The reason: several males fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner.

Notes

A tropical, semi-arboreal monitor with high humidity and plenty of climbing opportunity. Shy; it needs numerous hides and a tall, humid terrarium.

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
• 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 Blue-tailed monitor (Varanus doreanus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (300 x 150 x 200 cm (tall, with climbing branches)), substrate (Earthy, peaty, damp substrate they can dig in, deep), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.