Cuming's water monitor (Varanus cumingi)

Short answers

Cuming's water monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

250×100×150 cm.

Cuming's water monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 23–25 °C.

Cuming's water monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Cuming's water monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Cuming's water monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

23–25 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

250×100×150 cm

Substrate

Deep substrate, climbing branches, a very large water basin

Feeding

Food

Fish, nestlings, insects, snails, crayfish

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

100–150 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Mindanao, the Philippines

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Monitors and tegus are territorial; grown animals defend their territory and injure each other with serious bites in the process. Even small size differences mean one animal claims the warm spot and the food for itself while the other falls behind — which is often only noticed once the weaker animal has already lost weight. For breeding, put them together only under supervision.

Notes

A strikingly yellow-spotted water monitor. Semi-aquatic – it swims a lot and needs a very large water basin. A high space requirement.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Cuming's water monitor (Varanus cumingi) in the marketplace →

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 Cuming's water monitor (Varanus cumingi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (250×100×150 cm), substrate (Deep substrate, climbing branches, a very large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.