Kingorum monitor (Varanus kingorum)

Short answers

Kingorum monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 80×45×45 cm for one animal or a pair; a rock structure with crevices is essential (more floor area is better).

Kingorum monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot 45–55 °C (on a rock stack or tile), at night 20–24 °C.

Kingorum monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Kingorum monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: over 8 years in captivity.

Kingorum monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–33 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

45–55 °C (on a rock stack or tile)

Humidity

40–60 % (a humid crevice or hide microclimate)

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 80×45×45 cm for one animal or a pair; a rock structure with crevices is essential (more floor area is better)

Substrate

Sand, coarse gravel or sand-loam; stacked flat stones, hollow logs, rock crevices

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, roaches), occasionally small vertebrates or eggs; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 9–12 cm SVL, ~25–30 cm total length (the smallest rock monitor)

Life expectancy

over 8 years in captivity

Origin

North-western Northern Territory / north-eastern Western Australia (rocky savannah, a rock dweller)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B → registration required, proof of origin required

Brumation

a slight winter drop and shorter day length to stimulate breeding; no true brumation

Cohabitation

Paired or as a trio (1.1 or 1.2) is possible given enough space and plenty of crevice hides - more tolerant than large monitors. Use only one male and monitor for aggression.

Notes

The smallest rock monitor; it becomes tame once settled in (tong feeding). Stacked stones and crevices are essential. A common mistake: too few hides and too cool a basking spot.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Kingorum monitor (Varanus kingorum) 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 Kingorum monitor (Varanus kingorum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 80×45×45 cm for one animal or a pair; a rock structure with crevices is essential (more floor area is better)), substrate (Sand, coarse gravel or sand-loam; stacked flat stones, hollow logs, rock crevices), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.