Horn's monitor (Varanus panoptes horni)

Short answers

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

300×150×120 cm for a pair.

Horn's monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot Basking spot 45–55 °C, at night 22–26 °C.

Horn's monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 12.0).

Horn's monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Horn's monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

22–26 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 45–55 °C

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 12.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

300×150×120 cm for a pair

Substrate

A deep sand-loam mix they can dig in, with a water section and caves

Feeding

Food

Insects, rodents, fish and eggs depending on the species; regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

120–160 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Southern New Guinea

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is the least stressful option and the norm in captivity. A pair (1.1) is kept occasionally, but dominance fights between male monitors regularly end fatally - never house two males together. Even in a pair, both animals need their own basking and hiding spots and a way to be separated.

Notes

A very large, powerful ground monitor. It needs a walk-in enclosure, not an off-the-shelf 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
• 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 Horn's monitor (Varanus panoptes horni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (300×150×120 cm for a pair), substrate (A deep sand-loam mix they can dig in, with a water section and caves), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.