Pygmy mulga monitor (Varanus gilleni)
Monitors & tegus · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Pygmy mulga monitor (Varanus gilleni) (origin: Arid central and Western Australia (dry forest)). Adult size around approx. 25–40 cm (one of the smallest monitors). Life expectancy approx. 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Pygmy mulga monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 120 × 60–80 × 120 cm for one animal or a pair; several sources give 150 × 100 × 70 cm as the minimum size.
Pygmy mulga monitor: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 30–35 °C, basking spot up to ~50–55 °C, at night 20–25 °C.
Pygmy mulga monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential.
Pygmy mulga monitor: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years.
Pygmy mulga monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 30–35 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–25 °C
- Basking spot
- up to ~50–55 °C
- Humidity
- 50–60 % (the retreat more humid)
- UVB
- Essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 120 × 60–80 × 120 cm for one animal or a pair; several sources give 150 × 100 × 70 cm as the minimum size
- Substrate
- A deep sand and soil mix with cork, bark and climbing branches
Feeding
- Food
- Insects (house crickets, crickets, roaches, locusts)
- Feeding interval
- 2–3× a week
Key facts
- Adult size
- approx. 25–40 cm (one of the smallest monitors)
- Life expectancy
- approx. 10–15 years
- Origin
- Arid central and Western Australia (dry forest)
- Protection status
- CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required
- Brumation
- None (a slight drop is possible)
- Cohabitation
- Pairs (1.1) are the safest option. Two males do not get along — they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females can also be highly incompatible with each other and fight fiercely, and gravid females often become aggressive towards conspecifics; one male with two females is kept by some breeders, but needs a large enclosure and a spare terrarium. Several basking spots and hides are important so that lower-ranking animals can get out of the way, as is feeding separately once the animals differ in size.
Notes
A tiny, diurnal monitor that lives in tree holes and under loose bark. It needs a high basking spot and plenty of bark and climbing hides.
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
What you need to start
To keep Pygmy mulga monitor (Varanus gilleni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120 × 60–80 × 120 cm for one animal or a pair; several sources give 150 × 100 × 70 cm as the minimum size), substrate (A deep sand and soil mix with cork, bark and 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.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Wikipedia EN, australian-monitors.jimdofree.com, einrichtungsbeispiele.de, eur-lex.europa.eu, megazoo-nord.de
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).