Northern blunt-spined monitor (Varanus primordius)

Short answers

Northern blunt-spined monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm.

Northern blunt-spined monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Northern blunt-spined monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Northern blunt-spined monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Northern blunt-spined monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with pieces of bark and stone slabs

Feeding

Food

Insects

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–35 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

The Northern Territory, Australia

Protection status

CITES II; captive-bred animals only

Brumation

A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

Pairs work well. Two males do not go together - they fight over territory and basking spot until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner. One male with several females, however, works reliably. Several heat and hiding spots matter so subordinate animals can retreat, and feed separately once animals differ in size.

Notes

One of the smallest monitors there is. It hides under bark and stone slabs – flat hides matter more than caves.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Northern blunt-spined monitor (Varanus primordius) 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 Northern blunt-spined monitor (Varanus primordius) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with pieces of bark and stone slabs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.