Blackheaded monitor (Varanus tristis)

Common Name: Blackheaded monitor

Scientific Name: Varanus tristis

Distribution: Northern Australia.

Surroundings: Mainly tree dweller (where available) and rock crevices.

Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical.

Length: 70 - 80 cm

Pattern and color: V.t.orientalis lack the melanistic pattern of V.t.tristis and can furthermore be distinguished by the less spiny scales on the tail. Both are brightly colored as hatchlings, but V.t.orientalis retain most of their young pattern while in V.t.tristis the pattern darkens and is replaced with varying amounts of black as the animals grow.

Sex determination: Males have clusters of spines on either side of the tail base. These spines are much reduced or absent in females.

Enclosure size: 1 m² for a pair. Preferably a high enclosure.

Animals per enclosure: They can be kept in small groups most of the times.

Temperature: Daytime gradient: 22º-27º Celsius.

Daytime baskingspot: 40º-50º Celsius.

Nighttime: +15º Celsius.

Diet: Insects, small reptiles (mainly lizards) , eggs and small mammals.


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