The numbers
Enclosure
120 × 60 × 60 cm
Diet
Crickets, dubia, roaches; occasional pinky/egg · Juveniles daily; adults most days
Temperature
cool 25–30 °C / night ~25 °C
Humidity
40–60% + humid burrow
UVB
Strong T5 HO required
Identity
Family / Order
Varanidae / Squamata
Adult size
60–75 cm (incl. tail)
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs
Activity
Diurnal; terrestrial, burrower
Temperament
Intelligent, active; tames well ('mini monitor')
Price (THB)
~10,000–30,000
Enclosure and conditions
Basking
50–60 °C (120–150 °F) surface — very hot spot
Cool side
25–30 °C
Night
~25 °C
Humidity
40–60% + humid burrow
UVB (required)
Strong T5 HO required
Min. size
120 × 60 × 60 cm minimum; bigger better
Substrate
30–60 cm deep soil/sand (burrowing)
Water
Bowl
Diet
Diet type
Insectivore (occasional whole prey)
Staple insects
Crickets, dubia, roaches; occasional pinky/egg
Frequency
Juveniles daily; adults most days
Calcium
Dust + multivitamin
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Tolerant, intelligent, food-motivated; tames with routine
Digging
Extensive burrows — deep substrate essential
Cohabitation
Pairs/groups possible with space (advanced)
Defense
Fast; tail whip; rarely bites when tame
Children
Adult supervision
Reproduction
Sexual maturity
~1.5–2 yrs
Clutch
4–18 eggs, multiple clutches
Incubation
~90–120 days at ~29–30 °C
Sexing
Difficult; hemipenal/behavior
Common health problems
Metabolic bone disease
Signsweak limbs; poor growth
Preventstrong UVB + calcium + hot basking
Insufficient basking temps
Signsmost health issues trace here
Preventverify SURFACE temp 50–60 °C
Obesity
Signsfatty feeders / low activity
Preventlean feeders + large active space
Parasites
Signsweight loss
Preventquarantine + fecal test
When to see a vet
This is not veterinary advice. If red flags appear (open-mouth breathing, months of weight loss, 'stargazing', persistent regurgitation) consult a qualified exotic (herp) veterinarian. Quarantine new arrivals 30–90 days.
Good to know
- One of the smallest, most manageable monitors — a true 'beginner monitor'.
- Highly intelligent — learns feeding routines and recognises keepers.
- Needs the hottest basking spot of common pet lizards (~60 °C surface).
Common questions
Is it like a mini Komodo?
Same genus intelligence, dog-smart, but manageable size.
Why such a hot basking spot?
Monitors need intense heat to digest and thrive.
Beginner monitor?
Yes among monitors — but needs a big, deep, hot setup.
What it needs
- Large enclosure 120×60×60+
- Deep soil/sand substrate
- Strong T5 UVB
- High-wattage basking + thermostat
- Rock/hardscape
- Large water bowl
- Calcium + multivitamin
- Feeder insects + IR thermometer