Timor monitor (Varanus timorensis)

Short answers

Timor monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 120 × 80 × 100 cm (single animal), pair from 150 × 90 × 180 cm (height matters).

Timor monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Timor monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12 % UVB).

Timor monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years.

Timor monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

~70 % (up to 100 % at night and in the rainy season)

UVB

Essential (10–12 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120 × 80 × 100 cm (single animal), pair from 150 × 90 × 180 cm (height matters)

Substrate

About 20 cm of a humus mix; plenty of cork, robust plants, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, roaches, locusts, larvae, earthworms)

Feeding interval

2–3× a week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 50–65 cm total length (snout–vent length 20–22 cm, tail about two-thirds of the total length)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years

Origin

Timor and the surrounding islands

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

Optionally a slight rest of ~2 months at ~18 °C

Cohabitation

A pair or group is possible in a large enclosure. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on, but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed them separately once they differ in size.

Notes

A small, climbing and very shy monitor; simulate a rainy season with raised humidity. Offer plenty of hides and climbing opportunities.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – Expert
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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Timor monitor (Varanus timorensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120 × 80 × 100 cm (single animal), pair from 150 × 90 × 180 cm (height matters)), substrate (About 20 cm of a humus mix; plenty of cork, robust plants, 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.