| Common Name: | Black-tailed Monitor |
| Scientific Name: | Varanus tristis tristis |
| Family: | Varanidae (Monitors) |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Status: | Secure – Category 4 |
| Size: | TL 760mm |
If you are purchasing reptiles in Western Australia, you must hold the required Category license for the animals you are purchasing.
Tail long, strongly keeled and round in cross-section. Scales on top of head sharply delineated from smaller scales above eyes. Sub species (ill defined).V. t. Tristis is pale grey, brown to black with numerous pale ocelli aligned transversely. Head and neck black. Tail black with bale spots forming narrow rings on base. Remainder patternless. V. t. Orientalis has head and neck colour similar to body, with pale markings extending well onto neck.
Arboreal and rock-inhabiting. Shelters in hollow trunks and limbs, beneath loose bark, in rock crevices and under slabs. In some areas, mud nests of swallows and martins are frequently utilised. Widespread through subhumid to arid woodlands, rocky ranges and outcrops from WA and SA (excluding south) to NT, Qld (excluding far south-east corner and humid areas of north-east) and north-western NSW. Black-headed form is predominantly western and southern in distribution, extending to central Australia. ‘Freckled’ form is predominantly eastern, extending to central Australia and northern NT.
Terrarium: there are several terrariums of different sizes available, the required size will vary based on number of and age/size of the Black-tailed Tree Monitor. Terrariums should be large enough to maintain a correct thermal gradient in ambient air temperatures, this means that the Monitor can regulate its body temperature throughout the enclosure. For a single average size mature Black-Tailed Monitor, we wouldn’t recommend anything smaller than 90x45x60cm (WxDxH), and for a pair of adult Monitors we would recommend a terrarium size of 120x60x60cm (WxDxH) as there needs to be enough room for them to chase their food and have their own basking spots.
Lighting & heating: Black-Tailed Tree Monitors are a ‘Day Active’ lizard, meaning they are Diurnal and therefore require high spectrum UVB lighting as well as an intense basking heat source. There are a number of ways to provide UVB, fluorescent 10.0 spectrum tubes or bulbs will provide UVB, a ‘daylight basking’ heat globe will have to be used in conjunction. A mercury vapour globe will provide intense UVA & UVB light, mercury vapour globes are in our opinion superior to fluorescents as it is a longer lasting globe with more intense UVB output, however they cannot be used with a thermostat so work better with a larger enclosure that will easier maintain a thermal gradient. During the day, you want to achieve a basking ‘Hot Spot’ of 38°C and an air temperature ranging from 38°C in the hot end, and down to 25°C in the cool end. A heat rock or heat tile should be provided as tummy heat to help with digestion, this can also be used as a night time heat source. To monitor the temperatures inside the enclosure a thermometer should always be used.
Furnishings: an elevated basking area can be provided using logs, vines or hammocks. Artificial foliage throughout the enclosure will allow the Monitor plenty of hiding spots and coverage, a water bowl placed in the cool end, and red sand kept at the correct moister is our recommended substrate.
Food in captivity: Black-Tailed Monitors will eat a variety of insects, including crickets, roaches and silk worms. Small mice and raw mince should also be included into their diet in moderation. Food items will need to be dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements.
The essentials:
