Spotted tree monitor (Varanus scalaris)

Short answers

Spotted tree monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 120×60×120 cm for one animal; for a pair from 140×60×120 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Spotted tree monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot 50–60 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Spotted tree monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Spotted tree monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Spotted tree monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–33 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

50–60 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (northern Australian, varying with the season)

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×60×120 cm for one animal; for a pair from 140×60×120 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

A sand and soil mix, vertical cork and bark, branches, tree hollows, leaf litter; a water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects (roaches, locusts, crickets), occasionally small rodents or an egg

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

~45–60 cm total length (SVL ~18–28 cm)

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Northern Australia – open woodland, trees with hollows and loose bark

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; Australia allows no export of wild animals → captive-bred animals only

Brumation

A slight seasonal reduction is possible; no strict winter rest

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the standard; territorial, and males are never kept together. A compatible pair or breeding group only in a very large, heavily structured enclosure with visual barriers and ongoing supervision.

Notes

A small, climbing-keen tree monitor (also the "spotted tree monitor"); it needs plenty of structure and a locally very hot, focused basking spot despite its small body.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Spotted tree monitor (Varanus scalaris) in the marketplace →

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 Spotted tree monitor (Varanus scalaris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×60×120 cm for one animal; for a pair from 140×60×120 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (A sand and soil mix, vertical cork and bark, branches, tree hollows, leaf litter; a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.