Southeast Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator macromaculatus)

Short answers

Southeast Asian water monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 400×200×200 cm for one adult animal (more is needed); a large heated water basin (~25 °C, 30–40 cm deep).

Southeast Asian water monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Southeast Asian water monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Southeast Asian water monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–20 years.

Southeast Asian water monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 400×200×200 cm for one adult animal (more is needed); a large heated water basin (~25 °C, 30–40 cm deep)

Substrate

Moisture-retaining substrate they can dig in (soil and sand), a deep heated swimming basin, stable climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Fish, rodents, chicks, insects, mussels and crustaceans, egg, carrion

Feeding interval

adults 1–2×/week, juveniles 3–4×/week to daily

Key facts

Adult size

usually 150–200 cm, up to ~250 (–300) cm total length; one of the largest monitors

Life expectancy

10–20 years

Origin

South-East Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra – the subspecies macromaculatus); habitats near water

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial and potentially aggressive or cannibalistic, and males are never kept together.

Notes

Only for very experienced keepers with an enormous amount of space; powerful and potentially dangerous. Semi-aquatic → a large swimming basin is essential. macromaculatus = the South-East Asian subspecies of the water 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 Southeast Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator macromaculatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 400×200×200 cm for one adult animal (more is needed); a large heated water basin (~25 °C, 30–40 cm deep)), substrate (Moisture-retaining substrate they can dig in (soil and sand), a deep heated swimming basin, stable climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.