Storr's monitor – Ocreatus (Varanus storri ocreatus)

Short answers

Storr's monitor – Ocreatus: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm.

Storr's monitor – Ocreatus: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Storr's monitor – Ocreatus: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Storr's monitor – Ocreatus: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Storr's monitor – Ocreatus: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm

Substrate

Deep sand-loam they can dig in, with stone slabs

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches), occasionally nestlings

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

30–40 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Western Australia – dry savannah

Protection status

CITES II; captive-bred animals only

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

Paired or as 1.2 is possible given enough hiding spots. 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 small, easily kept dwarf monitor – a good way into monitors. It needs a very hot basking spot and diggable ground.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Storr's monitor – Ocreatus (Varanus storri ocreatus) 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 Storr's monitor – Ocreatus (Varanus storri ocreatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm), substrate (Deep sand-loam they can dig in, with stone slabs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.