Stripe-tailed monitor (Varanus caudolineatus)

Short answers

Stripe-tailed monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 80×45×45 cm for one animal (it climbs, plenty of hides); more floor area is better.

Stripe-tailed monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot 45–55 °C (spot-sized basking place), at night 20–24 °C.

Stripe-tailed monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5).

Stripe-tailed monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–15 years in captivity.

Stripe-tailed 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

45–55 °C (spot-sized basking place)

Humidity

40–60 % (arid species, a humid floor or hide microclimate)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 80×45×45 cm for one animal (it climbs, plenty of hides); more floor area is better

Substrate

A sand-loam mix (diggable), cork and branches to climb, stacked bark

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, roaches, house crickets), occasionally small vertebrates or eggs; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 25–32 cm total length (the tail longer than head and body)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–15 years in captivity

Origin

Western Australia (mulga and dry scrubland; semi-arboreal)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B → registration required, proof of origin (an Australian export ban → captive-bred animals only)

Brumation

a slight winter drop (cooler, with a shorter day length) encourages breeding; no true brumation

Cohabitation

Paired or in a small group (1.1 or 1.2) is possible with plenty of space and hides - dwarf monitors are considered comparatively social. Use only one male and monitor for aggression/cannibalism; when in doubt, keep singly.

Notes

Identical to the species "Cowan water monitor" (V. caudolineatus) – listed twice in the source. A semi-arboreal dryland species (the line-tailed or stripe-tailed pygmy monitor), NOT a water monitor. Barely in the trade; the care is largely analogous to V. gilleni.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Stripe-tailed monitor (Varanus caudolineatus) 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 Stripe-tailed monitor (Varanus caudolineatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 80×45×45 cm for one animal (it climbs, plenty of hides); more floor area is better), substrate (A sand-loam mix (diggable), cork and branches to climb, stacked bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.