Rough-necked monitor (Varanus rudicollis)

Short answers

Rough-necked monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 200×120×200 cm for one adult animal (larger is better, partly arboreal).

Rough-necked monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–32 °C, basking spot 45–55 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Rough-necked monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2, UV index 1–3); diurnal.

Rough-necked monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15+ years.

Rough-necked monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–32 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

45–55 °C

Humidity

70–100 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2, UV index 1–3); diurnal

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 200×120×200 cm for one adult animal (larger is better, partly arboreal)

Substrate

Deep, moisture-retaining substrate (coco humus or forest soil and sand), leaf litter; a large heated water basin

Feeding

Food

Insects (roaches, locusts), crustaceans, small rodents, occasionally egg or fish

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

90–130 cm total length (with the tail)

Life expectancy

10–15+ years

Origin

South-East Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo) – tropical rainforest

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; proof of origin required

Brumation

None (tropical, warm and humid all year)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial, cannibalism is possible, and males are never kept together. A pair only in a very large enclosure with visual barriers and ongoing supervision.

Notes

A shy, climbing-keen species; it bathes at length → a large, clean water basin is essential. A common mistake: conditions that are too dry or too small, and dehydration. For experienced keepers only.

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 Rough-necked monitor (Varanus rudicollis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 200×120×200 cm for one adult animal (larger is better, partly arboreal)), substrate (Deep, moisture-retaining substrate (coco humus or forest soil and sand), leaf litter; a large heated 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.