Mangrove monitors (Varanus indicus)

Short answers

Mangrove monitors: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 265×110×220 cm for one animal; for a pair from 305×110×220 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Mangrove monitors: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 43–54 °C (broad basking spot covering the whole body – risk of burns!), at night 22–26 °C (a night-time drop is desirable).

Mangrove monitors: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5).

Mangrove monitors: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–15+ years.

Mangrove monitors: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

22–26 °C (a night-time drop is desirable)

Basking spot

43–54 °C (broad basking spot covering the whole body – risk of burns!)

Humidity

70–90 % with strong ventilation

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 265×110×220 cm for one animal; for a pair from 305×110×220 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

Damp soil, leaf litter and compost (almost thoroughly moist), a large water basin, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Roaches, grasshoppers, fish, shrimp, crayfish, snails, quail eggs; rodents and day-old chicks only occasionally (too fatty)

Feeding interval

adults every 3–7 days, juveniles daily to every 2 days

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 1–1.2 m (up to ~1.3 m) including the tail

Life expectancy

12–15+ years

Origin

New Guinea, northern Australia, the Moluccas, the Solomon Islands, Micronesia (near mangroves and coasts)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – proof of origin required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing – territorial and aggressive over food; never males together. The reason is territory: two animals will not voluntarily share a basking spot or a hiding place. They fight until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner — and that second animal then eats worse, without showing any visible wound.

Notes

Strongly tied to water and humidity. A broad basking spot matters, as it is prone to localised burns. Nervous and defensive. A large swimming area is essential.

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 Mangrove monitors (Varanus indicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 265×110×220 cm for one animal; for a pair from 305×110×220 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (Damp soil, leaf litter and compost (almost thoroughly moist), a large water basin, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.