Marbled water monitor (Varanus marmoratus)

Short answers

Marbled water monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

250×120×150 cm.

Marbled water monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Marbled water monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Marbled water monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Marbled water monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

65–80 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

250×120×150 cm

Substrate

Soil and bark mulch, sturdy climbing branches, a large water section

Feeding

Food

Insects, roaches, fish, rodents, eggs

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

120–150 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

The northern Philippines (Luzon)

Protection status

CITES II; export from the Philippines is prohibited

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

Split from the salvator complex, with marbled markings. Very alert and fast – a quiet spot and plenty of visual screening reduce stress considerably.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Marbled water monitor (Varanus marmoratus) 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 Marbled water monitor (Varanus marmoratus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (250×120×150 cm), substrate (Soil and bark mulch, sturdy climbing branches, a large water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.