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Water
Monitors (Varanus salvator)
Water Monitors are the
second largest lizard by
weight in the world. Adult
males can reach nine feet
and weigh 150 pounds. While
females Water Monitors are
much smaller reaching 4-5
feet as adults. Water
monitors are widespread and
are located throughout South
East Asia, Indonesia, and
the Philippines. These
lizards are excellent
swimmers and a large water
bowl so they can completely
submerge themselves is
highly recommended. Water
Monitors can be fed
crickets, mealworms, night
crawlers, rodents, fish, and
crawdads. A mixed diet of
these food items four to
five times per week is ideal
and will ensure proper
growth and health. Humidity
is very important because
these lizards come from a
very wet environment. We
recommend that you mist the
cage daily to maintain
humidity. Water Monitors
should be kept alone unless
you are attempting to breed
them.
Temperature and UV
Lighting
Water Monitors should be
maintained between 85-90
degrees with a basking spot
of 95 degrees. At night the
temperature can drop to 75
degrees. Hours of daylight
should be 12L/12D during a
24 hour period. Humidity
should also be maintained at
70%-100%. UVB lighting
is not a must for monitors,
but is recommended. UVB
lighting enables reptiles to
metabolize calcium, by
creating Vitamin D3.
However, because their diet
consists of rodents and
other live prey, they can
usually receive enough D3
and calcium through their
diet. The bones of the prey
will provide calcium, while
the liver will provide
Vitamin D3. 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 Water monitors can be
kept in a 29 gallon cage but
they grow quickly and will
soon need larger housing.
Adult Water monitors should
be kept in a cage that is at
least 8’ long by 4’ deep.
Females can be kept in
smaller enclosures.
Extremely large specimens
may require room sized
enclosures.
Bedding
Our recommendation for
bedding is bark or coconut
bark, this bedding holds
moisture very well and
duplicates their natural
environment.
Food
Water monitors are
opportunistic hunters and
are known to eat almost
anything. Ideal foods are;
mice, rats, fish, crawdads,
crickets, superworms, beef
heart, and hard boiled
eggs. A mixed diet of these
food items, four to five
times per week, is ideal and
will ensure proper growth
and health.
Calcium
A calcium and vitamin
supplement should be put on
all food that does not
contain bones. When feeding
your monitor mice, rats, or
fish, no supplement is
needed.
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. Water Monitors can
be handled on a daily basis
and always wash your hands
before and after handling
them.