Quince monitor (Varanus melinus bangonensis)

Short answers

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

250×120×120 cm for a pair.

Quince monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot Basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 22–26 °C.

Quince monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 12.0).

Quince monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Quince monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–33 °C

Night temperature

22–26 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 45–50 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 12.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

250×120×120 cm for a pair

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a water section and caves

Feeding

Food

Insects, rodents, fish and eggs depending on the species; regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

100–120 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

The Moluccas, Indonesia

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter

Cohabitation

Kept in pairs (1.1) in a very large enclosure is possible - monitors are solitary animals whose home ranges may overlap but which rarely meet in the wild, so adult pairs usually get along given enough space. Several males, however, must never be housed together: rivals engage in ritual combat in which the loser can be seriously injured.

Notes

A brilliant yellow head. Considered comparatively easy-going, but it is still a monitor.

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 Quince monitor (Varanus melinus bangonensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (250×120×120 cm for a pair), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a water section and caves), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.