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Kings' Monitor
Varanus kingorum
One of the smallest monitor lizards in existence, rock-dwelling and native to Northern Australia. Extremely curious and active, it requires complex rocky enclosures and high temperatures.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Varanidae
Genus:Varanus
Species:Varanus kingorum
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
30 - 50 %
Day temperature
30 - 38 °C
Night temperature
22 - 26 °C
Adult size
12 cm
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Kimberley region of Northern Australia. It inhabits rocky outcrops, stone ranges, and arid grasslands, living deep within narrow granite and basalt rock fissures.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Varanidae, genus Varanus, and subgenus Odatria. It is recognized as one of the smallest monitor lizards in the world, with genetic pathways highly specialized for saxicolous survival.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal and active. Despite its tiny size, it displays the high curiosity and problem-solving abilities of larger monitors. It is initially shy but becomes highly inquisitive once comfortable.
Morphology: A micro monitor lizard, reaching an adult total length of 20-25 cm. The tail is exceptionally long and thin. Coloration consists of a reddish-brown or dark greyish-brown base speckled with small dark spots.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Provide a horizontal terrarium (minimum 90x45x45 cm). Use a dry sandy substrate. Install secure stacks of slate or flat stones (silicone-bonded) to create multiple narrow crevice hides.
Lighting and Heating: Basking spot must reach 45-50°C (113-122°F), with ambient temperatures of 28-32°C (82-90°F) and a night drop to 20°C (68°F). High-output 10-12% UVB lighting is required.
Humidity and Hydration: Low ambient humidity (30-40%). Provide a humid hide box with damp sphagnum moss to facilitate shedding. Provide a shallow water dish.
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Feed appropriately sized crickets, roaches, and mealworms. Dust prey insects with calcium three times a week and multivitamins once a week.
Compatibility: Can be housed in pairs or small groups (one male, multiple females) in spacious enclosures with ample hides. Never house males together due to aggressive fighting.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) if calcium or UVB is lacking. Retained shed on digits and tail tip can restrict blood flow and cause necrosis; check these areas regularly.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the Kimberley region of Northern Australia. It inhabits rocky outcrops, stone ranges, and arid grasslands, living deep within narrow granite and basalt rock fissures.
Origin
Australia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 12 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 12 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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