Rossel Island monitor (Varanus telenesetes)

Short answers

Rossel Island monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×80×150 cm (height).

Rossel Island monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 38 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Rossel Island monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Rossel Island monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Rossel Island monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

38 °C

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×80×150 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus soil, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes, a rain system

Feeding

Food

Insects, roaches, nestlings

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

70–90 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Rossel Island (Papua New Guinea)

Protection status

CITES II; extremely rare, its status disputed

Brumation

None

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

Known from only a few specimens; whether it is a species in its own right is debated. Practically absent from the trade – examine any offer very critically.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – Expert
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• 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 Rossel Island monitor (Varanus telenesetes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×80×150 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus soil, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes, a rain system), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.