{"product_id":"black-tailed-monitor","title":"Black-tailed Monitor | Varanus tristis orientalis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Black-tailed Monitor is a small, semi-arboreal goanna that climbs as readily as it digs - alert, quick and full of personality. Its dark tail and finely spotted body make it one of the more striking dwarf monitors for the experienced keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the eastern subspecies of a wide-ranging monitor, found through the woodlands, rocky ridges and timbered country of northern and eastern Australia, where it shelters in tree hollows and rock crevices and forages actively by day. Natural origin for this listing is northern and eastern Australia. The enclosure should recreate that warm, structured habitat with sturdy climbing branches, stacked rock and hollow retreats at several heights, a firm floor for foraging and a strong basking site.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy specimen is lean and alert with clear eyes, a clean vent and a full tail base. The body is dark grey-brown with fine pale spotting and ocelli, and the long, whip-like tail is noticeably darker, giving the species its name. Adult size is generally 50–80 cm total length, so the animal should never be purchased only for its current size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as alert, active and often flighty, and while regular calm handling helps, this is a fast, nervy monitor rather than a placid one. It is best kept singly or as an established compatible pair in a large enclosure; males will fight and food competition can be intense, so any animal that is bullied or losing condition should be separated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as an insectivore-carnivore; a staple of gut-loaded insects such as crickets, roaches and woodroaches, with small lizards, whole prey and the occasional pinkie or lean meat for adults. Feed juveniles daily and adults several times a week, dusting insects with calcium and a vitamin supplement, and avoid excess fatty foods. Fresh water should be available at all times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA single adult needs a minimum enclosure of about 90 x 45 x 60 cm, with 120 x 60 x 90 cm or larger recommended to allow climbing height. Provide a basking surface of 45–60°C over a rock or branch, a cooler end around 25°C, and a night drop to roughly 20–24°C, all thermostatically controlled. Good UVB is important for this diurnal species. Keep humidity low to moderate, around 40–60%. Use a firm, part-diggable substrate, offer plenty of vertical branches, cork bark and hollows plus a water bowl, and spot-clean regularly with periodic full cleans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack-tailed Monitors are egg-layers, cycled with a cooler, drier winter and a reduction in day length. Females lay clutches of around 5–17 eggs, incubated at about 28–30°C for roughly 90–110 days. Breeding is achievable but best left to keepers equipped to cycle the animals, incubate eggs and rear active hatchlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaranus tristis orientalis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack-tailed Monitor (Freckled Tree Monitor)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWoodlands and rocky country of northern and eastern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–80 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlert, active and often flighty; settles with routine but stays quick\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 90 x 45 x 60 cm for one adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 x 60 x 90 cm or larger with climbing height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInsectivore-carnivore - insects, small lizards and occasional whole prey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45–60°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 25°C cool end, dropping to roughly 20–24°C at night\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUVB Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — UV Index 3.0–4.0 at basking + 10% UVB (T5 HO fluorescent) — good quality UVB for this diurnal, actively basking species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate, around 40–60%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExperienced keepers wanting an active, semi-arboreal dwarf monitor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLicence Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes - reptile keeper's licence in most Australian states\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest kept as a single animal or an established compatible male-female pair in a large, well-structured enclosure with multiple basking and retreat sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not house with other monitor or lizard species, small vertebrates, or any animal small enough to be treated as prey. Two males should never share an enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSize options reflect the sizes we stock; any shown as sold out will return as we restock. Australian livestock for in-store collection or local delivery, with our live arrival guarantee. A reptile keeper's licence is required to buy and keep native reptiles and amphibians in most Australian states - please ensure you hold the appropriate licence for your state before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234111996195,"sku":"AA3277","price":595.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/freckled-blacktail-monitor.jpg?v=1781504058","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-tailed-monitor","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}