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Spiny-Tail Monitor (Varanus
acanthurus)
Spiny-Tail monitors are
found throughout Western
Australia, Northern
Territory, and parts of
Queensland. There are two
types of spiny-tailed
monitors usually available
in the pet trade and they
are
V. acanthurus acanthurus
and
V.
acanthurus brachyurus.
These lizards have a number
of common names but the most
popular is “Ackies”.
V.
acanthurus acanthurus
is known as the red ackie
and
V.
acanthurus brachyurus
is known as the yellow ackie.
The red ackie is the larger
of the two forms, usually
has a longer tail, and is
reddish brown in color. The
yellow ackie is slightly
smaller and is yellowish
brown in color. Adult
ackies can grow over 30
inches in total length,
however, most specimens are
much smaller. Ackies are
found in dry areas of
Australia and are usually
near rocky outcroppings.
When frightened, Ackies will
retreat into rock crevices
and puff up their bodies to
wedge themselves in-between
the rocks. Ackies can be
housed separately or in
groups and ideally you
should start with young,
immature animals. Breeding
ackies isn’t difficult and
you will be most successful
if you keep them in a
group. Females will produce
multiple clutches a year,
with 7-12 eggs in each
cultch. The eggs need to be
incubated at 84-85 degrees
and they will hatch between
85-105 days.
Temperature and UV Lighting
Ackies should be maintained
between 90-105 degrees with
a basking spot of 150
degrees. Make sure that
your lizard also has a cool
area available that ranges
in the
low 80’s.
At night the temperature can
drop to 70 degrees. Hours of
daylight should be 12L/12D
during a 24 hour period.
Ackies also need to be
exposed to UVB light during
the daylight hours. This
light enables the lizard to
produce vitamin D3. The
vitamin D produced by UVB
metabolizes the calcium in
the lizards’ diet. In
general it’s what makes an
ackies bones hard and
without it they usually
die. This process of
inadequate UVB and calcium
is called Metabolic Bone
Disease. Also it is very
important to change your UVB
light every 6-8 months,
after this time the light
stops producing adequate UVB.
If you’re not sure if your
UV light is still producing
UVB, bring it in and we’ll
be happy to test the light
for you.
Housing
Baby ackies
can be kept in a 29 gallon
cage, and a group consisting
of 2-4 animals can be housed
in a 60 gallon or larger
terrarium.
Bedding
Different beddings have
positives and negatives when
used for reptiles. The best
type of bedding for ackies
would be some type of fine
sand. Certain types of sand
can cause impactions in the
intestine and kill baby
ackies.
We feel that these types of
impactions are rare and we
have never personally
encountered this problem.
Calcium
Ackies also require a
calcium and vitamin
supplement. This supplement
works with the UVB light
allowing the lizard to
receive the proper amounts
of calcium and vitamins.
This should be used every
day as babies and reduced to
1-2 times a week as adults.
Calcium is sold in a powder
form and is sprinkled on the
crickets and other insects
that you feed your lizard.
You should apply a very
light coating to the food
items, being careful not to
waste any excess powder.
Food
Ackies monitors are
opportunistic hunters and
are known to eat almost
anything they can fit into
their mouth. Ideal foods
are; pinkie mice, crickets,
superworms, mealworms, and
waxworms. A mixed diet of
these food items four to
five times per week will
ensure proper growth and
health.
Cleaning and Handling
The
terrarium should be cleaned
as necessary. Any fecal
matter or left over food
should be cleaned out
several times a week. The
bedding should be completely
changed once a month and
fresh clean water should be
provided at all times. The
inside of the terrarium can
be cleaned out with an
appropriate reptile cage
cleaner, we recommend
Natural Chemistry’s Healthy
Habitat. Ackies can be
handled on a daily basis and
usually tame down quite
well. Always wash your
hands before and after
handling them.