Canopy goanna (Varanus keithhornei)

Short answers

Canopy goanna: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×80×150 cm (height).

Canopy goanna: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 38 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Canopy goanna: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Canopy goanna: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Canopy goanna: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

38 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×80×150 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus soil, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes, a rain system

Feeding

Food

Insects, roaches, nestlings

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

60–75 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

North-eastern Queensland (Cape York), Australia

Protection status

Export from Australia is prohibited – only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Pairs work well. Two males do not go together - they fight over territory and basking spot until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner. One male with several females, however, works reliably. Several heat and hiding spots matter so subordinate animals can retreat, and feed separately once animals differ in size.

Notes

The only Australian tree monitor in the prasinus group, very small and slender. Barely present in Europe – the origin must be documented without fail.

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 Canopy goanna (Varanus keithhornei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×80×150 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus soil, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes, a rain system), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.