Gould's monitor (Varanus gouldii)

Short answers

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

At least 200×100×100 cm for one animal; deep substrate they can dig in (at least 40–60 cm).

Gould's monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–35 °C, basking spot 50–60 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Gould's monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed, high (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5).

Gould's monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–18 years.

Gould's monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–35 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

50–60 °C

Humidity

40–60 % (a humid cave or retreat)

UVB

UVB needed, high (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 200×100×100 cm for one animal; deep substrate they can dig in (at least 40–60 cm)

Substrate

A deep sand-loam mix they can dig in (the tunnels stay stable), a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects, rodents, chicks, small reptiles, egg

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

100–140 cm (up to ~160 cm) total length

Life expectancy

10–18 years

Origin

Australia (widespread) – sandy and open habitats

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; Australia: no commercial export of wild animals → captive-bred animals only

Brumation

A slight cool spell or winter reduction is possible (shorter days, somewhat cooler); no true brumation is required

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial and solitary, cannibalism is possible, and males are never kept together.

Notes

A very active digger → plenty of floor area and deep substrate, and an intense basking spot matters. Captive-bred animals only (export from the wild is banned in Australia).

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 Gould's monitor (Varanus gouldii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 200×100×100 cm for one animal; deep substrate they can dig in (at least 40–60 cm)), substrate (A deep sand-loam mix they can dig in (the tunnels stay stable), a shallow water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.