Quince monitor (Varanus melinus)

Short answers

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

200×100×120 cm.

Quince monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 23–25 °C.

Quince monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Quince monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Quince monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

23–25 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

200×100×120 cm

Substrate

Deep coco humus for digging, climbing branches, a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Insects, nestlings, fish, snails

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

100–120 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

The Sula Islands, Indonesia

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing or 1.1 in a very large enclosure. 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

A brilliant yellow monitor that climbs and swims equally well. Very intelligent and active – it needs space, occupation and a large water basin.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Quince monitor (Varanus melinus) 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 Quince monitor (Varanus melinus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×100×120 cm), substrate (Deep coco humus for digging, climbing branches, a large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.