Spotted tree monitor (Varanus similis)

Short answers

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

120×60×100 cm (height).

Spotted tree monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Spotted tree monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

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

28–34 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×100 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus and sand, cork tubes, sturdy climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects, roaches, nestlings

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

40–55 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Northern Australia, New Guinea – monsoon forest

Protection status

Export from Australia is prohibited

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

An arboreal dwarf monitor with fine spotting, to be kept more humid than the desert Odatria. It needs height, cork tubes and light daily misting.

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 Spotted tree monitor (Varanus similis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×100 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus and sand, cork tubes, sturdy 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.