Rusty monitor (Varanus semiremex)

Short answers

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

180×80×100 cm aqua-terrarium.

Rusty monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 21–25 °C.

Rusty monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Rusty monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–18 years.

Rusty monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

21–25 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

65–80 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

180×80×100 cm aqua-terrarium

Substrate

Soil and sand, cork tubes, climbing branches, a large water section

Feeding

Food

Insects, crustaceans, fish, frogs

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

60–75 cm total length

Life expectancy

12–18 years

Origin

North-eastern Queensland – mangroves and marshes

Protection status

Export from Australia is prohibited – only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Pairs work, but keep males strictly separate. The reason: several males fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females usually tolerate each other but need separate heat and hiding spots each; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

A mangrove dweller that uses hollow tree trunks above the water as a hide. It needs a large, well-filtered water section and cork tubes close above it. Rare in Europe.

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 Rusty monitor (Varanus semiremex) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (180×80×100 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (Soil and sand, cork tubes, climbing branches, a large water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.