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ReptileTerrestrialIntermediate
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Storr's Monitor
Varanus storri
A small Australian dwarf monitor lizard, ideal for keepers seeking monitor behavior in a compact size. It is active, territorial, and demanding regarding high basking temperatures and low humidity.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Varanidae
Genus:Varanus
Species:Varanus storri
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
20 - 50 %
Day temperature
28 - 30 °C
Ambient temperature
30 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
55 °C
Adult size
13.9 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 200 L
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Varanus storri is native to the semi-arid regions of northeastern Australia, primarily found throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory. It inhabits rocky grasslands, woodlands, and rocky outcrops, where it utilizes rock crevices, soil fissures, and large boulders as shelters from predators and extreme heat.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Varanidae, subgenus Odatria (the dwarf monitor group). Two subspecies are recognized: Varanus storri storri (Eastern Storr's monitor) and Varanus storri ocreatus (Western Storr's monitor). The species is genetically close to Varanus acanthurus, though distinguished by its smaller size and less spiny tail.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal, terrestrial, and fossorial. They begin their day basking on exposed rocks before hunting insects and exploring their territory. They are active, curious, and highly territorial, exhibiting strong burrowing and climbing behaviors. They remain alert to any aerial threats.
Morphology: One of the smallest monitor species globally, reaching an adult total length of just 30-35 cm. The body is robust and stocky. Dorsal coloration is dark brown or reddish-brown with a dense patterning of cream or yellowish spots forming a net-like grid. The tail is short, thick, and weakly spiny. Males may have wider heads and visible preanal pores.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a horizontal enclosure measuring at least 100x50x50 cm for a single specimen or a pair. The substrate should be a sand-clay mix (70:30 ratio) 10-15 cm deep, allowing for the construction of stable burrows. Provide stable stacks of flat rocks (like slate) safely secured to replicate natural crevice structures.
Lighting and Heating: Requires high-intensity lighting. A 10% T5 UVB tube is mandatory along with a powerful halogen basking spot to create a hot spot of 45-50°C (113-122°F). Ambient temperatures should range from 28°C (82°F) on the cool side to 35°C (95°F) on the warm side, dropping to 18-22°C (64-72°F) at night.
Humidity and Hydration: General air humidity should be kept low (35-45%). However, a humid microclimate (60-70%) must be maintained inside the rock crevices and deep substrate to assist shedding and prevent dehydration. Provide a fresh water dish on the cool side of the enclosure.
Feeding and Supplementation: Voracious insectivores. Feed a varied diet of crickets, Dubia and lateralise roaches, locusts, and mealworms. Gut-load all prey items and dust with calcium at every feeding for juveniles, and calcium with vitamin D3 twice a week for adults.
Compatibility: Can be housed in pairs or small harems (one male, two females) if the enclosure is spacious with multiple basking zones and hides. Monitor closely for dominance behaviors. Males must never be housed together as they will fight to the death.
Health and Common Diseases: Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is the most common health issue, stemming from poor calcium or UVB provision. Obesity is a constant risk due to overfeeding. Respiratory infections can develop if the enclosure is allowed to remain cold and damp without proper air circulation.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Varanus storri is native to the semi-arid regions of northeastern Australia, primarily found throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory. It inhabits rocky grasslands, woodlands, and rocky outcrops, where it utilizes rock crevices, soil fissures, and large boulders as shelters from predators and extreme heat.
Origin
Australia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 13.9 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 13.9 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 13.9 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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