Spencer's monitor (Varanus spenceri)

Short answers

Spencer's monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 200×100×80 cm, very deep substrate they can dig in (a powerful digger); a front-glass enclosure is not recommended.

Spencer's monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C (warm side), cool side ~26–28 °C, basking spot 55–65 °C (very hot basking spot), at night 20–24 °C.

Spencer's monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6).

Spencer's monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–20 years.

Spencer's monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C (warm side), cool side ~26–28 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

55–65 °C (very hot basking spot)

Humidity

30–50 % (arid grass plains; a humid burrow microclimate)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 200×100×80 cm, very deep substrate they can dig in (a powerful digger); a front-glass enclosure is not recommended

Substrate

A deep, firm sand-loam mix (diggable), with a hollow log as the preferred hide

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous: rodents, chicks, large insects, eggs

Feeding interval

adults approx. every 3 days, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 100–125 cm total length (a robust, heavy ground monitor)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–20 years

Origin

The central and eastern arid parts of Australia (cracking clay plains)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B → registration required, proof of origin required

Brumation

a slightly cooler, shorter winter spell is possible; no true brumation

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial, and the males do not get on. A pair only with a great deal of space, visual barriers and supervision.

Notes

NOT a water monitor despite the list name – a terrestrial inhabitant of arid clay plains and one of the strongest diggers among the monitors; it needs an extremely hot basking spot and deep digging ground. The source's assignment to "water monitors" is inconsistent. Little solid keeper data (some figures come from specialist care sheets).

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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 Spencer's monitor (Varanus spenceri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 200×100×80 cm, very deep substrate they can dig in (a powerful digger); a front-glass enclosure is not recommended), substrate (A deep, firm sand-loam mix (diggable), with a hollow log as the preferred hide), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.